The National Drug and Alcohol Research (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney is pleased to announce that Nicolas Parkhill AM has been appointed to the role of Centre Manager.
Nicolas Parkhill has more than 30 years of experience in public and community health. He was CEO of ACON from 2011 until 2024 and prior to this, worked in numerous senior management and policy roles for NSW Health and the NSW Cabinet Office, including working on the 1999 NSW Drug Summit.
NDARC Director, Professor Michael Farrell said Mr. Parkhill’s background in alcohol and other drugs, health policy, social marketing, community development and public relations makes him uniquely qualified for the role.
“We are thrilled to have Nicolas onboard in this critical role for NDARC,” Professor Farrell said.
“His operational and strategic leadership will make him a valuable addition to the team and continue to strengthen the Centre’s national and global standing.”
Nicolas is a former board member of the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), Health Equity Matters (formerly the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations), and the Australian Government’s National Suicide Prevention Office Advisory Board.
In 2022, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his significant service to community health, particularly to people living with HIV, and to healthcare delivery.
Nicolas said he’s delighted to join NDARC, which has been Australia’s leading research centre in the alcohol and other drugs sector for more than 35 years.
“Using research to address real-world problems, NDARC generates high-quality evidence across numerous fields that directly influences harm reduction in Australian communities,” Mr. Parkhill said.
“I look forward to contributing to this important work.”