David has over 30 years experience as an urban researcher working in the fields of housing, social policy, social inequality, tourism, research methodology and the implications of globalisation. His publications have addressed issues around global urban change, gating practices, sustainability, and urban and regional implications of economic restructuring.
David has been one of the principal researchers and member of the Management Group of the Building Research Capability in the Social Sciences (BRCSS) project, engaged in developing a national Social Science Network within New Zealand utilising the collaborative capability of new technologies. David has a long-standing interest in improving international comparative research through creating more accessible, reliable, standardised and linked databases.
Further information and contact details
Perkins H, Thorns DC.Place, identity and everyday life in a globalizing worldPalgrave Macmillan, 2012
Oxley L, Walker P, Thorns D, Wang H. The knowledge economy / society: The latest example of measurement without theoryJournal of Philosophical Economics, 11,1: 20-54, November 2008
Dupuis A, Thorns D.Gating practices in a risk societyUrban Policy and Research, 26(2): 145-157, June 2008
Perkins H, Thorns DCReal estate advertising and intra-urban place meaning: real estate consultants at workEnvironment and Planning A A40 9: 2061-2079, 2008
Perkins H, Thorns DC, Winstanley A2008 House and Home: Methodology and methods for exploring meaning and structureIn Mangin P and Thompson S (eds) Qualitative Urban Research, Elsevier, 2008
Ashton H, Thorns DCThe role of information communication technology in retrieving local communityCity and Community, 6(3): 211-229, 2007
Thorns DCThe transformation of cities: Urban theory and urban lifePalgrave/Macmillan Press, London, 2002
