David is a PhD Candidate at the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, where he is researching best practice innovation frameworks, innovation governance, and strategic innovation with a public sector lens.
He is the Manager, Innovation at the Reserve Bank of Australia, where he is responsible for leading the Bank’s exploration of new and emerging technology; new ways of working; and building non-traditional partnerships and frameworks to explore and accelerate innovation across the RBA’s policy, corporate, business, and research Groups. Prior to the RBA David was Assistant Director (and Acting Director) Innovation, and Assistant Director Reform at the Department of Defence where he explored the application of new and emerging technologies in a defence operational, policy, and corporate context. David has also worked at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Finance, and the Attorney-General’s Department in policy and operational roles where he specialised in social policy, indigenous employment, and corporate governance. He has also served as a Ministerial Adviser.
David is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. He took time out of his mainstream employment to Co-Found Energy Panda, a gamification platform that that helped low-income households better understand their energy consumption and nudge cost reduction. He also Co-Founded All Care Health Services Group (allcare), a mid-sized disability and aged care service provider that uses technology and non-traditional operating models to improve the client experience. He serves as a Non-Executive Director of allcare; and is also a Non-Executive Director of the Y NSW.
David has been recognised for his passion for volunteering, youth empowerment, and innovation. He was 2010 Wollongong Citizen of the Year, Macquarie University Most Outstanding Alumni (Global Leader) (2017), JCI Australia Ambassador (2017), Fellow of the Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation (2019), and has recently been named one of the 2021 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Australia.
Thesis Title: Public Sector Innovation: A Work In Progress
Supervisors: Professor Mark Evans, and Dr Brendan McCaffrie
Study Summary: In 2015 Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull welcomed the nation to the ideas boom, there was a millennial minister responsible for innovation, and a department with innovation in its name. This was the catalyst for an innovation revolution within the public sector, and more broadly the Australian economy. The public sector was spending more than $1b on interventions to encourage innovation across the economy and spending more than $500 on interventions within the public sector to drive internal innovation. Innovation labs, innovation champions, and innovation teams started to become the norm in Departments and Agencies across the public sector. Public Sector Innovation Month, and the IPAA Innovation Awards became a highlight for public sector innovators and entrepreneurs. Young, eager, and enthusiastic public servants started to see value and benefit in improving the way they do their work, efficiency and productivity gains became fun and technologically driven – not just a response to budget cuts. Following the elevation of Scott Morrison to the Prime Ministership (August 2018), innovation in this context took a back seat. The gloss and glamour of the ideas boom had dissipated, and so too did innovation in ministerial titles and department branding. However, innovation labs, champions, and enthusiastic staff didn’t discontinue their work – they simply were no longer highly visible.
Aim of the study: This research project will investigate public sector innovation, the impact that it has had on the public sector, and the economy, and society. The research will also investigate what influence the public sector context and public sector innovation system has had on the public sector's capacity to innovate. Did Prime Minister Turnbull’s ideas boom generate a wave of public sector innovation, and more importantly was this innovation of value, did it scale, what was its impact? This research thesis proposes to develop an innovation impact assessment framework to truly understand and assess the value of public sector innovation activity. It will provide a clear and academically rigorous framework to highlight the value of innovation interventions and celebrate the work that has been done to date. It will also provide clear metrics that should help improve innovation risk appetite in the public sector.
Away from my studies I enjoy: With full-time work, my board commitments, and part-time PhD life there isn’t much free time in my life. That said, I do enjoy spending time supporting a few volunteer organisations like Lions Clubs – it’s a great way to meet new people, help others, and grow as an individual. I also enjoy a quality time with friends, some good food, good wine, and good company – there’s really nothing else like spending time with people you care about. Of course, I enjoy a good nap, a binge watch, and contemplating existence.
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