David Edwards

David Edwards serves as a Professor of the Practice in the School of Public Policy at Georgia Institute of Technology and is the founding executive director of the Center for Urban Research. He concurrently acts as the policy advisor for neighborhoods in the Office of the Mayor of Atlanta. Previously, he held leadership roles at Purpose Built Communities, IBM’s Smarter Cities program, and the City of Atlanta under Mayor Shirley Franklin. His professional background spans corporate consulting (Boston Consulting Group), academic administration (Columbia University), and federal policy (Office of Management and Budget).

Education

• Master’s in Public Policy from Duke University
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics and History from Franklin and Marshall College

Research Interests

Edwards focuses on public administration, urban revitalization strategies, public safety, and the intersection of poverty and geographic inequity. His work emphasizes data-driven urban policy and cross-sector collaboration to address systemic urban challenges. He has authored numerous articles and white papers on these topics, advocating for evidence-based solutions to complex urban issues.

Advising & Grants

While no formal advisees are listed, Edwards has extensive experience in policy advising across municipal, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. His career reflects a commitment to translating academic insights into actionable public policy.

Labs & Teams

He leads the Center for Urban Research, a hub for interdisciplinary research on urban development and equitable community revitalization. The center collaborates with municipal governments and NGOs to pilot scalable solutions for distressed neighborhoods.