David Shirley
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
David has built a diverse career spanning continents and disciplines, holding various positions and developing a cross-disciplinary technical focus in areas such as urban design, international development, climate, energy, education, social anthropology, and psychology. This background has led him to pursue a PhD in Neurourbanism, an emerging interdisciplinary field.
As the Technical Lead, Team Manager and Country Director at NIRAS, David has been involved in project management, research, monitoring, and evaluation projects in International Development. He has contributed to projects worldwide, covering topics such as urban development, energy, waste management, and climate resilience, working with clients like the United Nations, European Union, Asian Development Bank, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). His experience includes working on projects related to Green Energy and Waste, Urban Disaster Risk Reduction, Blue Carbon Ecosystem Protection, and Low Carbon Development Initiatives.
Throughout his career, David has had the opportunity to collaborate with diverse organisations and institutions. He has worked with the Eastern Indonesia Researchers' Association, coordinating research initiatives and facilitating knowledge sharing among researchers across Eastern Indonesia. He has also been involved in education initiatives in Papua, working with the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Indonesian Government, conducting field research and longitudinal studies. Additionally, he has mentored Indonesian awardees in research projects focusing on the renewable energy and tourism sectors in Eastern Indonesia, in partnership with Griffith University and Murdoch University.
David holds a Master of Philosophy in International Development from the Auckland University of Technology, a degree in Psychology and Social Anthropology, and a degree in Tourism Studies. He has also completed certificates in Research Methodologies, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Project Management. He is proficient in Indonesian and possesses technical skills in industry-standard design software.
Inspired by his practical experience and academic background, David is now pursuing a PhD in Neurourbanism. He aims to investigate the intersection of urban design, environmental psychology, and neuroscience, focusing on creating cities that promote mental well-being and cognitive performance. Through his research, David seeks to contribute to the growing field of neurourbanism, with a particular emphasis on the unique context of Indonesian cities and the new capital, Nusantara.
David’s research focuses on the emerging interdisciplinary field of neurourbanism, which integrates neuroscience, urban design, and environmental psychology to create cities that support mental well-being, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. The primary aim of his research is to develop a framework and evidence-based design guidelines for optimising cognitive performance, mental well-being, and social resilience in urban spaces, with a specific focus on the unique cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic aspects of Indonesian cities, particularly Nusantara, the new capital of Indonesia, which is currently under construction and set to be inaugurated in late 2024.
As part of his research, David will travel to Nusantara from his home base in Indonesia to establish the city as a testbed for neurourbanism interventions and smart technologies that could improve urban well-being. In the coming years, he will conduct field research in Nusantara, analysing the relationships between urban design features, psychological responses, and well-being outcomes. By doing so, David aims to identify and reinforce the key architectural design principles and strategies that promote mental health and social sustainability in urban environments. He seeks to contribute to the growing field of neurourbanism by developing actionable policy recommendations and contributing to the enhancement or development of new urban design metrics and standards that prioritise mental health and well-being.
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