About David's Work
David's research focuses on institutional environmental transformation and governance. While much of his work has focused on East Asia, he is interested in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, as well. His Switzer-supported dissertation examined adoption of environmental technologies in pulp and paper manufacturing in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. He asks, broadly, how, when, and where citizens and other civic actors have successfully influenced the design and functioning of core institutions, organizations, technologies and processes in more environmentally sustainable and socially equitable directions. In addition to forest-based industries, David has ongoing interest in global electronics manufacturing, sustainable food production and consumption, and most recently, transboundary water governance. His books include 'Water Crises and Governance: Reinventing Collaborative Institutions in an Era of Uncertainty' (London and New York: Routledge, 2018); the 'Routledge International Handbook of Social and Environmental Change' (London and New York: Routledge, 2014); and 'The Ecological Modernisation Reader: Environmental Reform in Theory and Practice' (London and New York: Routledge, 2009). Currently he is Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Environmental Studies, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), in Syracuse, NY. David is also Research Associate, Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University, the Netherlands; and Affiliate Faculty, Dept. of Sociology, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.