David obtained his PhD, on companion planting and trap cropping, in 2007 from Newcastle University, having previously undertaken a MRes on intercropping jointly at Coventry and Warwick. He continued in academic research thereafter as a lead researcher/Research Fellow on projects to identify biopesticides and biological controls for use in veterinary pest management (Newcastle/Northumbria), and develop habitat-based approaches to encourage pest control and pollinator/decomposer conservation in field vegetable and cereal crops (Lancaster), in collaboration with colleagues at Fera.
David joined Stockbridge Technology Centre in 2014 and led a multi-disciplinary applied crop science team as STC’s Director of Science until June 2019, overseeing projects on protected and field crop entomology, pathology, agronomy and production systems (including precision agriculture and vertical farming). David is now a Reader at Newcastle University, based within the Agricultural Production Systems group and specialising in research to drive ‘sustainable production’ in all its forms – from use of biopesticides and biostimulants to reduce reliance on synthetic crop inputs, to the benefits of using precision agriculture and modern machinery to co-deliver crop and environmental gains. He chairs the NU Farms Academic Strategy Group and is currently leading on developing a 5 Year Teaching and Research strategy for the farms.
David has published more than 50 scientific papers and presented his work worldwide. He is currently a Trustee of Stockbridge Technology Centre Research Foundation, and has been a Trustee, Regional Honorary Secretary, editor and Vice President of the Royal Entomological Society, where he remains a Fellow. David is a member of the Verral Association of Entomologists, and the 2015 recipient of the Marsh Award for ‘Early Career Entomologist’. He has been a columnist for the Yorkshire Post and is a regular invited speaker/exhibitor at academic and industry events across the UK and Europe.
