David Howard Turpin CM FRSC (born 14 July 1956) is a Canadian scholar and the former university president. Turpin was the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta (2015–2020) and the University of Victoria (2000 to 2013).^[3]

In 2010, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.^[4]

In 1977, Turpin received a BSc degree in cell biology from the University of British Columbia. In 1980 he received a PhD degree in botany and oceanography from the University of British Columbia.^[5]

From 2000 to 2013, Turpin was the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Victoria.^[6] Turpin was appointed the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Alberta in 2015.^[7] He did not seek renewal for a second term, and his term at the University of Alberta ended on 30 June 2020.^[8] Turpin is president emeritus of the University of Alberta. He was appointed as a member of the board of directors for Polar Knowledge Canada for 5 years from January 2023 to January 2028.^[9]

• Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Manitoba (2015)^[10]
• Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)^[11]
• Member, Order of Canada (2010)^[12]
• ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2004)
• Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)^[13]
• Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (1998)^[14]
• Who's Who in Canada (1997)
• Who's Who in Science and Engineering (1996)
• Who's Who in America (1995)
• Darbaker Prize in Phycology, American Botanical Association (1991)