Adam Nicholson is the Deputy Director of Social Policy at the Niskanen Center, where he focuses on poverty and employment policy. Previously, Nicholson was an applied social scientist for the National Security Agency. Before that, he held positions as a visiting assistant professor and as a President’s Postdoctoral Scholar at The Ohio State University, as well as positions in the defense and intelligence fields. Nicholson is a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Nicholson earned a doctorate in sociology from Indiana University, where he also earned a master’s degree in sociology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Kansas.