Dr Maja Nikšić
About
I am an experienced interdisciplinary researcher, with a strong background in epidemiology, medical statistics, psychology and behavioural sciences. My expertise lies in the design and statistical analysis of large-scale studies, management of complex international, national and local datasets, survey development, and the application of advanced quantitative methods to generate actionable insights for policy and practice.
I have also worked on mixed methods research projects, blending qualitative and quantitative approaches, as well as national and international randomised controlled trials (RCTs). These trials addressed public health topics such as understanding the role of nutrition in anti-social behaviour, reducing infant mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, or improving micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy and childhood.
Alongside research, I have extensive experience in medical and public health education, teaching quantitative methods, epidemiology, and evidence-based medicine to undergraduate and postgraduate students. I work with multidisciplinary teams, funders, and community partners, and I am committed to translating evidence into equitable, real-world interventions that tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes for underserved populations.
Currently Researching
My current projects address population health at the intersection of public health, primary care, and behavioural interventions. I am a member of the NIHR-funded Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) for Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. I contribute to the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Project, led by the Medway Council, focusing on co-creating, embedding and acting on research evidence to reduce health inequalities. I am also involved in developing an efficient system by which university researchers may access anonymised administrative linked datasets from the health and local government sectors in Kent and Medway to carry out research.
I am a co-PI on a Cancer Research UK funded project aimed at applying social and behavioural research to enhance cancer prevention, diagnosis, screening, and treatment.
The project has four main aims:
- Validating the new Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM+)
- Conducting analysis to explore trends in our public and health professional cancer surveys and consider how to develop surveys,
- Conducting evidence synthesis, including systematic/scoping reviews, rapid reviews, to address gaps in cancer policy and practice,
- Developing resources for NHS teams funded via our Test Evidence Transition programme.
Research interests and expertise
My interests are diverse and they include, but are not limited to:
- Understanding socio-economic inequalities in health care outcomes
- Cancer prevention and early diagnosis
- Barriers to seeking timely medical help
- Incidence, prevalence and cancer survival
- Investigating patterns of comorbidities across different populations in need
- Mental health of underserved populations
- Understanding wider determinants of health, such as environmental factors and geography
- Improving public health interventions
- Use of public health data and data linkage
Career/Background
Prior to joining CHSS in 2022, I worked as a research fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, at King’s College London, as a team leader at the University of Oxford, and a psychologist in a few psychiatric hospitals. I have over 15 years of teaching, tutoring and supervisory experience, covering modules focused on epidemiology, public health, clinical communication, and statistics.
Teaching
Currently I am a convener on the modules:
MA5952 Understanding and Synthesising Research, part of the Year in Data Analytics.
SOCI9001 Quantitative Research Methods for Applied Health and Care Research, part of the MSc Applied Health and Care Research Programme.
I teach Clinical Communication Skills at the Kent and Medway Medical School.
Supervision
Currently supervising postgraduate students
Education
PhD in epidemiology, King’s College London, Division of Cancer Studies, Guy’s Hospital
MPhil in Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds Institute of Health Science, School of Medicine
MSc in International Public Health, University College London, Institute of Child Health; Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Institute for Global Health and Development, and University of Copenhagen, Public Health department
Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy
Memberships
Graduate Statistician G(Stat) member of the Royal Statistical Society