Nicola Wilkin is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy. Her research is in the areas of ultracold gases (three citation classics) and the flow mechanisms of vortices in mesoscopic superconductors.
Nicola is Director of Education for the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences. The role provides the strategic leadership for the College’s education delivery as it prepares to deliver programmes in Dubai, and on the dual degree undergraduate Birmingham-Jinan programmes.
On the Edgbaston campus she is leading the EdTech provision for the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory which will open to students in September 2018. Particular focus is on the creation of a platform for self-paced, automatic learning for mathematically based modules. This work is being undertaken in partnership with the software developers, Maple T.A. The content is created and designed in partnership with large teams of undergraduate interns. For more information, please visit the MapleTABham2017 and MapleTABham2016 websites and listen to The Edtech Podcast:
Nicola has a long standing interest in improving the representation of Women in Physics and has been Hon Secretary of the Institute of Physics Women in Physics Group as well as being a member of the University Diversity Forum. She co-chaired (alongside then Head of School, Prof Andy Schofield) the School’s successful equality awards: Institute of Physics JUNO Champion and Athena SWAN Silver submission.
Nicola has co-ordinated the current topics in theoretical physics module, including the mock interview process which is provided in partnership with Forresters, the intellectual property firm.
Nicola was the local organising Chair of the International Conference on Women in Physics 2017 (a triennial UN-affiliated meeting). Please read her LinkedIn post, What does it feel like not to be in the minority? And why does it matter?, for Nicola's reflections on the conference and why it matters.
Nicola was also the academic mentor associated with the launch of the first oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in England.