Gail Nichols was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1953. She got her degree in mechanical engineering, worked in the Peace Corps, and in 1978 moved to Australia. It was in Australia where a lifelong hobby became her profession. After training at St. George TAFE in Sydney, she found her niche in experiments with soda vapour glazing. She went on the postgraduate study and in 2002 completely her PhD in clay and firing research. She is widely recognized as an innovator in ceramics with her approach to soda glazing. Currently, she teaches at the ANU School of the Art in Canberra and her studio is in Mongarlowe in New South Wales where she continues to produce work.