John Barker

John Barker is a socio-cultural anthropologist and Professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. His research focuses on religious transformations among Indigenous peoples in Oceania and British Columbia, alongside examining the history of anthropological research in Canada. He has held leadership roles, including serving as the former Head of the Anthropology Department.

• PhD from University of British Columbia (1985)
• Expertise in Indigenous religions, colonialism, and oral traditions

Research Interests
Barker explores themes such as the impact of colonial and post-colonial dynamics on Indigenous spirituality, the role of Melanesia in shaping global intellectual history (e.g., gender studies), and the intersection of traditional war narratives with contemporary issues like environmental activism. His 2017 talks at the CREDO Centre highlighted these areas, including analyses of how Western representations of New Guinea influence modern discourses on Christianity and cultural identity.