Overview
David’s research centers on marine coupled human-natural systems, focusing predominantly on marine management and tropical coral reef systems. Overall, his research aims to provide evidence-based insights into how marine management and conservation can lead to equitable and sustainable outcomes. This work is by nature both interdisciplinary and collaborative, drawing on key theories and analytical approaches from disciplines such as economics, community ecology, and political science, and working alongside researchers and practitioners to co-develop salient research questions, approaches and dissemination pathways. His recent work includes global and regional assessments of the social and ecological impacts of marine conservation, justice and equity considerations in marine governance, and developing cost-effective approaches for monitoring socioecological systems in capacity-limited regions.
David holds an MSc and PhD from the Centre of Resource Management and Environmental Studies, University of the West Indies, Barbados. His post-graduate career included two years as a Luc Hoffmann Fellow at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC; 2014-2016) and a David H. Smith Conservation fellowship (2016-2018) based at George Mason University and Conservation International.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Scholarly Works
Reimagining coral reef futures
Journal article Npj Ocean Sustainability · December 1, 2026 Coral reefs are vital social-ecological systems, but highly vulnerable to global change and local stressors. While conveying the urgency of existential threats is paramount, bleak outlooks can become self-reinforcing, limiting capacities to act. To counter ... Full text CiteDistributional effects of marine conservation on coastal livelihoods in Eastern Indonesia.
Journal article Nature communications · May 2026 Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely adopted to conserve marine biodiversity, yet their distributional impacts on resource-dependent communities remain underexplored. This study investigates socioeconomic inequality linked to MPAs in eastern Indonesia ... Full text CiteInvesting smarter and deeper to advance equity in high-stakes coastal locations in the Global South
Journal article Communications Sustainability · April 3, 2026 Full text CiteRecent Grants
Advancing Ocean Equity
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Nature Conservancy · 2025 - 2028Nature-based Solutions Accessibility Index
ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by Walton Family Foundation · 2026 - 2027Social justice in marine protected areas: understanding the differential impacts of marine threats and management actions within coastal communities
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Society for Conservation Biology · 2021 - 2025View All Grants