Before becoming an Emeritus Professor, Maggie Nicol was a professor in Occupational Therapy and Art Therapies and formerly head of the subject area at QMU. She gained her professional qualification as an occupational therapist in 1970 then an MPhil in 1986 and PhD in 1996. She developed her clinical skills as a OT in the area of mental health from 1970-79 before moving into education. Initially she was based at the Occupational Therapy Training Centre at the Astley Anslie Hospital Edinburgh before relocating with the OT programme to Queen Margaret College in 1979. During her period at QMU, Professor Nicol has been senior lecturer then head of subject. Additionally she has a strong interest in Interprofessional Education and leads the development of this for all health care students at QMU. She is currently an external examiner for post graduate occupational therapy programmes.

Professor Nicol was awarded a fellowship from the College of Occupational Therapists in 2003 and currently acts a steering group member for the United Kingdom Occupational Therapy Research Foundation. She is a panel member for Panel 12 Research Assessment Exercise 2008. Her current research interest is in evaluating the return to employment of people with disabilities and she holds funded research grants in this area.