Nicola Baker
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Psychology
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Nicola is currently in her final year as a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology. Her research focus is at the intersection of elite performance, employee wellbeing and organisational behaviour. Her current research intersects with the performing arts and involves a qualitative investigation of psychological wellbeing as experienced by professional musicians. This follows a prior career as a professional classical musician and educator, which involved teaching at the University of Auckland School of Music. She has presented findings from her research at the 2024 Australian Music & Psychology Society conference, the 2023 Global Arts and Psychology Seminar (Melbourne hub) and received a career development grant for her presentation at the 2023 Australian Society for Performing Arts Health conference in Brisbane.
PEER REVIEWED CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS
Baker, N., Due, C., Baranoff, J., & Dollman, L. Creating together: A qualitative study of psychological wellbeing in professional orchestral musicians in Australia. GAPS 2023 Global Art and Psychology Seminar “Creativity in music and the arts”, Melbourne September 14-16, 2023.
Baker, N., Due, C., Baranoff, J., & Dollman, L. Musicians share successful strategies: A qualitative study of psychological wellbeing in professional orchestral musicians in Australia. ASPAH 2024 Australian Society for Performing Arts Health Conference, Brisbane November 25-26, 2023.
Baker, N., Due, C., Baranoff, J., & Dollman, L. Strategies and interventions for maintaining positive wellbeing among professional orchestral musicians. AMPS 2024 Australian Music and Psychology Society Conference, Melbourne July 3-6, 2024.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT ROLES
Group work learning project (Research Assistant for Dr Peta Callahan, University of Adelaide).
Pilot and feasibility study of treatment package for Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation (Research Assistant for Dr John Baranoff, University of Adelaide). Funded by grant from Lifetime Support Authority, SA. R2231, University of Adelaide project no. 387-56131586
Music Therapy ATSI project (Research Assistant for Dr Luke Dollman, University of Adelaide.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2025 - ongoing Part-time lecturer University of Adelaide 2023 - ongoing Guest Lecturer University of Adelaide 2023 - ongoing Academic tutor University of Adelaide 2005 - 2021 Specialist teacher Waipapa Tamata Rau - University of Auckland 1992 - 2021 Principal Horn Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2021 - 2021 The University of Auckland New Zealand Graduate Diploma in Science 1987 - 1991 The Curtis Institute of Music United States Diploma
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Journals
Year Citation 2025 Baker, N., Due, C., Baranoff, J., & Dollman, L. (2025). Creating together: Musicians’ descriptions of relational aspects of their profession.. Psychology of Music.
2025 Lecturer in Charge: COMMGMT 3506 Managing Conflict and Change
Tutor: COMMGMT 1001 Managing Organisations and People
The University of Adelaide, Adelaide Business School
2023 - 2025 Guest lecturer: MUSGEN 3011 Music, Health and Wellbeing
The University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music
2023 – 2025 Academic tutor: (various)
The University of Adelaide, School of Psychology
Connect With Me
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