James Barker - 2009/2010

James Barker - Earth and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Barker is said to be the “epitome of what a graduate supervisor should be”. Over and over again, graduate students talked about his cheery attitude, smiling face and open-door policy. They talked about how he guided students but left them to make independent decisions about where their research was headed. At research conferences he introduced them to researchers who gave them opportunities to do research or work at their companies. He had excellent networking skills. He was always very timely about getting back to students with comments on their papers or thesis.  If he felt there were limits to his own expertise, he would encourage students to reach out to faculty members in other departments. Over the past six years Dr. Barker has supervised and co-supervised thirty-six students.

Dr. Barker would have social functions in his home so that students would relax and meet one another and new students would feel included.

The Chair, Barry Warner, states “Dr. Barker has been one of the cornerstones of our graduate program in the department.”