David Whitaker

Professor David Whitaker is a registered Optometrist and Professor of Vision Science at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University. He has held significant roles including Dean and Head of the School of Healthcare Sciences (2018-2024) and Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes. His academic career spans institutions like Aston University and the University of Bradford before joining Cardiff in 2015.

• BSc (Hons) in Optometry
• PhD in Vision Science
• MCOptom (College of Optometrists)

His research focuses on visual perception, time perception, multisensory integration, and clinical vision science. He explores how humans process temporal information, sensory adaptation, and visual illusions impacting motor behavior. Additionally, he investigates drug delivery to the cornea via contact lenses for conditions like Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Recent publications highlight trends in therapeutic contact lenses for ocular drug delivery and temporal coding mechanisms in visual perception. His work bridges fundamental neuroscience and clinical optometry applications.

• Association of Optometrists Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)

Whitaker has served on REF panels (RAE2008, REF2014, REF2021) and held leadership roles in academic governance. He collaborates extensively in multidisciplinary studies of vision science.

His laboratory at Cardiff focuses on visual time perception and clinical applications of optometric research, integrating psychological and physiological approaches to vision science.