Her music psychology research aims to better understand how engaging with music can promote positive cognitive functioning and manage emotional distress. She has held office as the President of the Australian Music Psychology Society (AMPS) and the Asia-Pacific Society for Cognitive Sciences of Music (APSCOM), and was a foundation Editor-in-Chief for the SpringerOpen journal Psychology of Well-Being. Nikki is currently the Director of Psychology at Online Education Services, and also holds positions as Adjunct Associate Professor with Monash University, and Honorary Fellow with the University of Melbourne.