David Gilbert's research interests focus on the geography and history of modern London, and modern urbanism more generally.  Key themes in this work include:

• London's role as a world city of fashion and its distinctive fashion cultures and economy
• London's position in the geographies of imperialism
• The development of suburbia and its cultural geographies
• Religion in London
• The histories of planning and imagining London

David gives the opening course in Human Geography in the Department each autumn, and also teaches on the history of modern London, and at MA level on urban culture and creativity.  He has a strong group of PhD students, including several AHRC Collaborative Awards working with major London cultural and environmental organisations. He has a close working relationship with the Museum of London, including 20 years of collaborative PhD projects, and serves on its Academic Panel. 

His most recent major research project focused on creativity in suburban faith communities in London, funded by the AHRC, working with geographers at UCL.  

David has also published more generally on the historical geographies of modern Britain, including work on protest, the history of British coalmining, community identity, and unemployment. His other research interests include amateur creativity and the geographies of counterfactual thinking.  

David was Head of the Department of Geography from 2011-14. Since 2017 he has been the College's Vice Principal for Quality and Standards.