David is currently working with the Liverpool–Yemeni community for his Ph.D. research at the University of Leeds, which questions British, Yemeni, and Arab diaspora identity, their relationship with Liverpool, Yemen, religion, politics, and language.
He has worked with the community for several years at local events and organisations such as the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival and the Liverpool Arabic Centre. He hopes his research will provide insight into the little-studied stories and patterns of migration of the Liverpool–Yemeni community and how their unique position within Liverpool as the largest Muslim community interplays with religion and ethnicity.
His research is based on data gathered from interviews, observations, and interactions with the community. Other research interests include Arabic and Semitic Linguistics, Arabic dialectology, early and pre-Islamic Arabic literature, and politics of the Arab world.