David Beard

David Beard is Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences at the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) in the University of Oxford. He is also Co-Director of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU-Oxford) and responsible for a portfolio of surgical trials.

His academic qualifications include an MSc in Biomedical Science (Research Methodology) from Kings College (London) in 1992, an MA by Resolution (Kellogg College, Oxford) in 2012, and a Doctorate in Medicine (Oxford) in 1996 awarded for studies on knee joint proprioception and compensatory mechanisms after anterior cruciate injury.

Previous clinical work includes posts in Bath, Jersey, and Canada. He has previously held senior academic posts at Oxford and in Australia, and held honorary academic positions in Cardiff and Bristol. Initially qualified a chartered physiotherapist (GDPhys, MCSP) in Nottingham, he maintains an active clinical role as Advanced Practitioner (Complex Knee) for a West Wales NHS Trust (Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board).  He is also a Professorial Fellow of Kellogg College and Member of Wolfson College.

Current research interests include surgical clinical trials methodology, including placebo control designs, outcome measurement in MSK health, and a variety of musculoskeletal intervention studies.  He is currently CI and co-applicant on several surgical trials including those evaluating knee, hip, spine, hand and shoulder surgery, plastic surgery and ENT surgery, both in the UK and overseas.  He has recently been awarded and honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons and has been involved in a working party for the European Space Agency for long duration space flight.  David supervises several PhD, DPhil and MSc students within in NDORMS and NDS and is a regular examiner on behalf of the University.