In November 2021 the University of Liverpool awarded David the degree of Doctor of Letters (LittD).
The degree of Doctor of Letters (Litterarum Doctor) is a higher doctorate. In the United Kingdom higher doctorates are awarded as either earned or honorary (honoris causa) degrees. In David's case it was an earned doctorate in accounting and finance from the University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Science. The thesis title was "Aspects of corporate governance: The conceptual basis of internal auditing and ethical evaluations of bribery". The thesis was submitted with a portfolio of peer-refereed publications David had undertaken over a number of years.
The University of Liverpool's Ordinance 62 (paragraph 2) states the following:
"Higher Doctorates may be awarded by the University in recognition of a substantial body of published work and/or other material of distinction, such as extended musical compositions in the case of application for the degree of Doctor of Music, resulting from research which, in the opinion of the external assessors appointed to examine the work:
a) possesses originality and merit;
b) makes a sustained, consistent and substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge over a number of years;
c) establishes the candidate’s authoritative standing in his/her field of work; and
d) has led to extensions or development of knowledge by others."
David is very proud to hold a higher doctorate from the University of Liverpool, and he thanks Professor Fiona Beveridge, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences; Professor Phillip Ormrod of the Management School; and two anonymous, external assessors.