Current research interests include surgical clinical trials methodology, including placebo control designs, outcome measurement in MSK health, and a variety of musculoskeletal intervention studies. He is currently involved in several surgical trials and studies including those evaluating robotic surgery, knee, hip, spine, hand and shoulder surgery, plastic surgery, ENT and work related to long duration space flight. David supervises several PhD, DPhil and MSc students within in NDORMS and NDS and is a regular examiner on behalf of the University.