Dr Nicola McDowell is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in the Institute of Education, Massey University, New Zealand. She is also the founder and creator of the Austin Assessment, a screening app for cerebral visual impairment (CVI) related visual issues.

Nicola teaches into the Post Graduate Diploma and Masters in Specialist Teaching programmes, which focus on training educators to work in the learning support space in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
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Her research interests include understanding and supporting children, young people and adults who have CVI, empowerment of individuals with CVI and their parents/caregivers and equity in education. 
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Nicola also regularly shares both her research and personal experience of CVI through presentations and blogs, with a focus on improving outcomes for others with the condition.