I’m Dave and I’m a Research Engineer at the Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at McGill University. I study how media and technology are shaping our lives, and how we can use public policy to help ensure that technology works for everyone.

I completed my master’s degree in computer science at McGill, under the supervision of Derek Ruths and Andrew Piper, where I studied computational narrative understanding, and specifically how we can quantify how people are portrayed in news articles. I’m broadly interested in social issues and social dynamics, and in better understanding what influences people’s beliefs and behaviour. I’m also a strong advocate for the use of AI and data science to help create positive change in the world.

Before starting my master’s, I did a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Carleton University and spent time working as a Machine Learning Intern at Kinaxis and a Data Scientist at Global Affairs Canada.

In another life, I taught English as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan, and in another other life, I studied Physics and Mathematics at the uOttawa.

Outside of research, I enjoy being outdoors (backpacking, climbing, skiing, etc.), traveling, cooking, and learning about world history, religions, psychology, and a bunch of other stuff.