James Barker

In Memoriam - Dr. James R. Barker

1957 - 2023

James R. Barker was the Herbert S. Lamb Chair of Business Education in the Rowe School of Business and led the SafetyNET-Rx and Health Assured Pharmacy Safety Research Consortiums. Professor Barker’s research interests focused on complex system dynamics in developing safe and sustainable organizational governance mechanisms, public policies, and industry practices. With past experience in aviation safety and public policy, he studied safety enhancements in Canadian community pharmacies. He was a past academic journal Editor-in-Chief and has received numerous professional honours, including a career achievement award from the International Communication Association.  His publications span a variety of fields including management, information technology, pharmacy, education, and psychology. Professor Barker was a U.S. Army officer and served as a faculty member at prestigious US and New Zealand Universities.  He had management industry experience in transportation and consultative experience with a number of industries and government organizations.

In his own words

Why does policy matter?

Policy must create the conditions that enable broad collaborative efforts to address public issues successfully and sustainably. The policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation process must deliver policies that work, that move our society forward in a positive and useful way.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a founding fellow?

I aim to enhance the MacEachen Institute’s position as a hub for public health policy thought leadership both regionally and nationally.  I specifically aim to move forward public engagement with enhanced community pharmacy practices that contribute toward the sustainability of our health care systems and to foster the development of the governance and operational mechanisms for community pharmacies that support our need for more sustainability in health care.