David Adams

Biography

Before joining the University of Tasmania David had an extensive career as a senior executive in the public, private and community sectors in Australia. In Tasmania David was Deputy Secretary in the Department of health and Community Services and in Victoria Deputy Secretary in the Premiers Department. In Victoria David was instrumental in establishing the Department for Victorian Communities, the first Australian Department of State focussed on place and the development of social capital. David was a founding member of PASCAL the OECD linked Observatory on social capital, place management and learning regions. In Tasmanian as Social Inclusion Commissioner David developed both the first State Cost of Living Strategy in Australia and the first State Food Security Policy.

Research Interest

David's research crosses the theme areas of Better Health, Creativity Culture and Society and; Data Knowledge and Decisions. His research interests include: regional development and  spatial innovation systems, Social innovation, The role of local knowledge in policy and decision making, Social inclusion and cost of living, Food security, Community sustainability, Public policy ideas especially postmodern forms of policy and administration, Place management.