David completed a study of the life and work of the first Resident Commissioner of the Solomon Islands in 2014. That book, 'The Naturalist and 'his beautiful islands': Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific', was published by ANU Press. 

He is currently researching a new book on the work of the archaeologist and Orientalist, HG Quaritch Wales.

In addition to qualifications in Asian studies and Asian languages, David Lawrence has trained in librarianship and museum curatorial practice.

He undertook research for his doctorate in the Fly estuary region of PNG. Since then he has worked in environmental anthropology and project management in the Asia/Pacific region.

Career highlights

Between 1990 and 1994 David was Coordinator of the Torres Strait Baseline Study for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. He was then seconded to work in the Kakadu National Park on a study of Aboriginal joint management. He has also written on the environmental management of the Great Barrier Reef and on marine issues in Southeast Asia.

Between 2005 and 2009 David was Research Coordinator of the Community Sector Program Community Snapshot. This survey of 300 communities in the Solomon Islands was undertaken for AusAID. He has also assisted on a number of RAMSI Peoples Surveys in the Solomon Islands.