Professor de Vahl Davis is a Mechanical Engineer with an outstanding research record in several areas. His principal topic of interest since the mid 1960s has been Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer (CFD/HT).

He was involved in the introduction of CFD to Australia, and developed the largest and best known CFD research group in the country.

His research and expertise in the area has been recognised internationally by his appointment as a member of the Scientific Committee of the International Centre for Heat and Mass Transfer; election as a member of its Executive Committee; election as a member of the Committee of the World User Association in Applied CFO; and appointment as Australian representative on the Assembly for International Heat Transfer Conferences.
He was instrumental in the establishment at the University of New South Wales of the Centre for Advanced Numerical Computation in Engineering and Science'.

The University of New South Wales recognised Professor de Vahl Davis's contributions by The promoting him to a chair "by merit" (rather than to fill an established vacancy) on the first occasion that such promotions were made by the university.

Professor de Vahl Davis served with great distinction for four years as Head of the largest de Vahl Davis served with great distinction for four years as Head of the largest School of Mechanical Engineering in Australia, and has made outstanding contributions to the administration of and research into engineering education.

He has held senior positions in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, including Australian Branch President (and Member of Council in the UK) and NSW Northern Sub-branch President; and has been active in the Institution of Engineers, Australia.

In the wider sphere, Professor de Vahl Davis has held many senior positions in the Australian and NSW Jewish communities, for which service he was appointed a Member in the Order of Australia (AM) in 1989.