Nicola is a Founding Director of Social Life, set up in 2012 by the Young Foundation as a centre of research and innovation about the social life of communities.

Nicola has worked with the public, private and third sectors to explore the relationship between people and places, understanding how day-to-day experience is shaped by (and shapes) the built environment.

Nicola has advised central and local governments, foundations and third sector agencies in the UK and internationally, with a focus on innovation, and fresh approaches to tackling inequality. Her work ranges from big data projects to qualitative research and practical engagement and empowerment.

Nicola was a Director of the Young Foundation from 2007 to 2012, setting up major programmes

on social innovation, wellbeing and resilience and neighbourhoods. Before joining the Young Foundation, she worked at the Home Office, led an award winning action research programme piloting new ways of preventing youth homelessness, and was Director of Policy at Shelter.

Nicola started her career working in locally based, third sector organisations in Newcastle and London. She is a High Street Expert, a Fellow of the YoungFoundation and a mentor for Bethnal Green Ventures.