David Eager in an Emeritus Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. He was the Professor of Risk Management and Injury Prevention. He was also the Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.

David is an internationally recognised expert on the safety aspects of trampolines and playgrounds, play surfacing, and sports and recreation equipment. He is a bio-mechanical engineer and Fellow of Engineers Australia, Chartered Professional Engineer and on the National Professional Engineers Register.

David has a PhD in Engineering (UNSW), 1st Class Honours Degree in Engineering (NSWIT); and Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution (UTS).

David was the dux of the final year of his undergraduate engineering degree. He worked in the mining, manufacturing and construction industries for more than a decade before entering academia. In 1992 David was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Research Award - Industry and in 1995 joined UTS academic staff. In 2007 he was made an honorary safety advisor with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. In 2009 he was award the William Evans Fellowship by the University of Otago, New Zealand. In 2018 he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Australian Sports and Play Association. In 2020 he was the recipient of the Standards Australia National Meritorious Contribution Award. In 2021 his services to the play industry were acknowledged when he was appointed as a Life Member of Play Australia. In 2022 Standards Australia acknowledged his 25 years of dedicated service in standards development as a 'Centenary Hero'. In 2024 has received the Kidsafe Research of the Year Award and the AGM Michell Medal from the Mechanical College of Engineers Australia.

He completed an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Machinist; TAFE Electrical Wiring Engineering Course; TAFE Establishing a Small Business; Graduate course in Principles and Practice of Teaching and Learning (UNSW); Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training; and WHS General Construction Induction.

David represents Australia on ISO/TC 83 Sports and Recreational Equipment. He was the co-convenor of the ISO Working Group for Playground Equipment and Surfacing. He is been an invited technical observer on the European Union Technical Committee CEN/TC 136/SC 1 Children's Playground Equipment and Surfacing for more than a decade. He is also the ISO Liaison for CEN/TC 83 and its Subcommittees and Working Groups.

David is an observer on CEN/TC 152 Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices.

David was on the Board of KidsafeNSW (2003-2015).

David was a Green Beret within 1 Commando Regiment in the Australian Army Reserve in the 70s and again in the 80s. He was selected to represent 1 Commando Company on their prestigious Mountbatten Team that went on to win the 1988 Trophy.

As an undergraduate student David was the driving force behind the formation of the inaugural NSWIT Mountaineering Society in 1979 (current the 'UTS Outdoor Adventure Club') and served as the founding President of the Society (1979-80). As an academic he Chaired the Australian Standards Committee SF-047 that was responsible for drafting and publishing the climbing gym Standard AS 2316 Artificial climbing structures and challenge course equipment.

David was a Red Cross Blood Donor for 40 years and over that time has happily gave more than 125 donations.

David holds pro-bono positions where he represents Engineers Australia on the following Australian Standards Committees:

Children Playground Equipment and Surfacing CS-005 (1999-present, Chairperson 2008-2021);

Amusement Rides and Devices ME-051 (1997-present);

Contained Play Facilities ME-51-03 (since 2005, Chairperson 2005-present);

Trampolines CS-100 (since 2001, Chairperson 2001-2013);

Trampoline Parks Facilities SF-051 (since 2016, Chairperson 2016-present); and

Artificial Climbing Structures and Challenge Course Equipment SF-047 (since 2003, Chairperson 2003-2010, 2015-present);

David holds representative pro-bono positions on several ASTM International Technical Standards Committees, including:

ASTM International Committee F08 Sports Equipment and Facilities Technical Committee and Subcommittees: F08.17 Trampolines; F08.21 Climbing and Mountaineering; F08.63 Playground Surfacing Systems; F08.64 Natural Playing Surfaces; and F08.65 Artificial Turf Surfaces and Systems (since 2000).

ASTM International Committee F15 Consumer Products Technical Committee and Subcommittees: F15.09 Home Playground Equipment; F15.29 Playground Equipment Public Use; F08.36 Soft-Contained Play Systems; and F08.43 Soccer Goal Safety(since 2006).

ASTM International Committee F24 Amusement Rides and Devices Technical Committee and Subcommittees: F24.10 Test Methods; F24.20 Specifications and Terminology; F24.24 Design and Manufacture; F24.30 Maintenance and Inspection; F24.40 Operations and F24.60 Special Rides/Attractions (since 2000).