Prof. John Barker BSc PhD

Emeritus Professor

Prof. John Barker is an Emeritus Professor within Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton.

John Barker's work is concerned with the application of hydrogeological techniques to landfill science. Following an early academic career in physics, in 1978 John Barker joined the Hydrogeology Group of the Institute of Geological Sciences (now the British Geological Survey) where he remained for 18 years. During that period he worked across the spectrum of hydrogeological activities including: water resources, both in the UK and overseas; radioactive waste disposal; and geothermal energy (incidentally, including modelling and monitoring work on the Southampton geothermal borehole). In 1991 he was awarded Individual Merit Promotion to Grade 6 (c.f. Reader) In 1996 he returned to University College London, where he had studied for his PhD, as Professor of Hydrogeology. At UCL his teaching was primarily in hydrogeology but extended to the application of fluid mechanics and modelling to other branches of geoscience. His research remained broad but with a focus on transport modelling and the application of tracer tests. Following retirement from UCL at the end of 2006, he took up his current, part-time, research post at Southampton. Particular interests include:

• Transport in fractured aquifers.
• Pumping test analysis.
• Well hydraulics, including energy losses and well design.
• The application of tracer tests.