David (Dave) Neil Petley (born 30 May 1968) is an earth scientist who has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull since 2022.
He was previously Vice President for Innovation at the University of Sheffield.
Following a move to the University of East Anglia, he was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise.
[4][2] Petley's major research interest is landslides, and in particular their mechanics, via both laboratory modelling and monitoring in the field.
He has also worked extensively on the human and economic costs of landslides.