David previously studied History and Politics at degree level at the University of Sheffield where he became increasingly interested in international politics and history and particular elements relating to the causes of war and inter-state conflicts, ethnic and intra-state conflict, terrorism and conflict transformation. After taking two years out to pursue his passion for music and undertaking formal musical education, David returned to study his Masters at the University of Birmingham in International Relations, to continue his interests from his undergraduate degree. Having attended the Trust, Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation training programme conduct by the Institute of Conflict, Cooperation and Security (ICCS) at the University of Birmingham in March 2017, David became interested in the concept of trust and its role in conflict transformation, which formed the basis of his MA dissertation and now his PhD research.