Dr. Dave O Brien

Biography

Dave O'Brien is a globally recognised expert in cultural and creative industries. He is completing his PhD in urban cultural policy from the University of Liverpool and has extensively written on key issues in the cultural creative economy. His work includes the use of culture in urban regeneration and how policymakers utilize evidence, particularly in the stratification of cultural consumption and inequalities in cultural work. His recent book, 'Culture is Bad', co-authored with Orian Brook and Mark Taylor, has received widespread acclaim. O'Brien has contributed to important policy documents, such as the ground-breaking 'Measuring the Value of Culture' report and the 'Creative Majority' report. He has served as an advisor to the House of Commons’ Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and has worked with the House of Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee on the 'Risk: Creative Future' report. His extensive research focuses on various themes including inequalities in creative higher education, downward social mobility, and new forms of distinction in cultural consumption.

Research Interests