Marcus Nicol is currently a Senior Data Policy Advisor at the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) and an Honorary Associate Professor at The National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University. 

With a career spanning leadership roles in health and research data analytics, epidemiology, and health systems research, Dr Nicol is passionate about advancing the use of data to improve public health outcomes and has maintained strong ties to the research sector throughout his public service career. He is a strong advocate for collaboration between government and academia and believes there are significant mutual benefits to improving these collaborations.

Prior to this role, Dr Nicol was the Chief Health Data Officer for the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate where he led the Data Analytics Branch responsible for reporting on the health of the ACT population and reporting health system activity to the Commonwealth. 

He has previously held roles at the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care in Clinical Trials Policy, as well as the Health and Medical Research Office where he was responsible for the evaluation and data analytics for the Medical Research Future Fund.

Other experience in the public service includes Director roles in data analysis, reporting and evaluation at the National Mental Health Commission, and as the Director of Research Analysis in the Australian Research Council, where he was responsible for the planning and delivery of the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment for 2015 and 2018, and the Engagement and Impact pilot (EIAP) assessment in 2017. Dr Nicol has also worked as a Senior Research Scientist and Director of Evaluation and Reporting for the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Dr Nicol has a PhD in Physiology and a Masters of Public Health in International Health.