PeopleofSuperintelligence

Public voice

Gaia Marcus

Gaia Marcus directs the Ada Lovelace Institute, an independent research institute with a mission to make AI and data work for people and society. In September 2018, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport hired her as Head of Data Strategy to lead the creation of the national data strategy. Before joining Ada in 2024, she was Deputy Director at the Spatial Data Unit in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. She welcomed three new members to the Oversight Board in February 2026, as the institute geared up to deliver its strategy. As of October 2026, she is Director, and Imogen Parker and Michael Birtwistle are set to cover her leave from late November 2026.

Timeline

  1. September 2018

    Head of Data Strategy at DCMS

    In September 2018, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport appoints her Head of Data Strategy to lead the creation of the national data strategy.

  2. December 2018

    A Lent Term 2019 policy fellowship

    The Centre for Science and Policy names her a policy fellow for Lent Term 2019 in a December 2018 announcement.

  3. By 2024

    Deputy director at DLUHC

    Before she joins Ada in 2024, she serves as Deputy Director (Advanced Analytics and Local Capabilities) at the Spatial Data Unit in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

  4. April 2024

    Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute

    In April 2024, the Nuffield Foundation appoints her Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute after an open recruitment process. She takes up the post in June 2024, succeeding interim director Francine Bennett.

  5. February 2026

    Three new Oversight Board members

    She welcomes three new members to the Oversight Board in February 2026, as the institute gears up to deliver its strategy.

  6. As of October 2026

    Director, with co-director cover

    She is Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute, an independent research institute with a mission to make AI and data work for people and society. From late November 2026 until July 2027, Imogen Parker and Michael Birtwistle cover her leave as co-directors.

Sources and credits

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  1. DCMS hires Gaia Marcus as Head of Data Strategy diginomica.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. New Policy Fellows Announced for Lent Term 2019 - Networks of evidence and expertise for public policy admin-csap.csap.cam.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Gaia Marcus | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Gaia Marcus appointed as new Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Gaia Marcus appointed as new Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute - Nuffield Foundation nuffieldfoundation.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. New Oversight Board members appointed to the Ada Lovelace Institute | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Gaia Marcus - Centre for Science and Policy csap.cam.ac.uk. Checked 15 October 2026.
  8. Imogen Parker and Michael Birtwistle appointed as Co-Directors to cover Gaia Marcus’ maternity leave | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.