About
Hi, I’m Marcus Povey. I design and build complex software systems, helping organisations turn messy ideas into working platforms.
For decades I’ve helped organisations turn complex ideas into working software systems. My work has ranged from startups to financial institutions, news organisations, governments, and large international research collaborations.
I specialise in designing and delivering mission-critical platforms, including life-saving medical software, secure messaging systems, high-performance video platforms, and open source software used by organisations around the world.
In my current role I lead the development of scientific research infrastructure across Europe, working with some of the world’s leading structural biology institutions. My work focuses on building systems that enable large-scale collaboration, improve research reproducibility, and make scientific data more accessible and reusable. Much of this effort centres around improving metadata capture and data interoperability so that research outputs can be more effectively analysed, including through modern AI-driven techniques in areas such as drug discovery. Recently I’ve been exploring how modern AI-assisted development dramatically reduces the cost of building and experimenting with software systems.
I have also contributed to several EU Open Data initiatives aimed at improving access to scientific data, including projects that supported the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this work I have spoken at international conferences and contributed to discussions around data-sharing policy and research infrastructure.
In the open source world, I previously served as the technical lead of the Elgg project, a widely adopted social networking platform used by universities, governments, and companies worldwide. I have also contributed to the Known publishing platform, which explores decentralised social publishing and IndieWeb technologies.
If you’re interested in working with me, you can find more detail on my resume or LinkedIn.
Outside of work I tend to collect hobbies like precious shinies. These currently include martial arts (Judo, Krav Maga, Capoeira, and Jujitsu), powerlifting, archery, climbing, blacksmithing, motorcycle riding, rock music, and occasionally flying light aircraft.
I also travel frequently and enjoy a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, working from different places whenever the opportunity arises.