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The School of Biological Sciences

Dr Martin Barker

Dr Martin Barker
Dr Martin Barker
Dr Martin Barker

PG Cert Higher Education (UoA) (BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (University of Sussex), PhD Plant Biology (University of Lancaster), PGCE (University of Exeter), Diploma in Counselling, Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy, MRSB

Senior Lecturer

About
Email Address
m.barker@abdn.ac.uk
Telephone Number
+44 (0)1224 272697
Office Address

+44 (0)1224 272697 School of Biological Sciences 23 St Machar Drive ('Auris Builiding') Room G21 University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UU

School/Department
School of Biological Sciences

Biography

Dr Martin Barker is senior lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences, with strong teaching interests in inclusion, widening access, pastoral support, disability provisions, staff-student communication and also innovative methods in assessment and feedback. Martin’s research interests focus on plant ecophysiology and forest canopy research. He has promoted plant biology in public lectures, TV and radio. His career has in higher education has been centred (chronologically) at the universities of Sussex, Exeter, Hertfordshire, Lancaster, Brunei and Florida. Martin has also been a school teacher and has written several textbooks on biology.Since joining the University of Aberdeen in 2009 Martin has served on numerous committees, Senate (2017—2020; 2023—) and is also the honorary Quaker chaplain. Outside the university, Martin’s contributions include President of the Friends of the Cruickshank Botanic Garden, and previously Chair of Governors, Bachlaw Projects (Banff), and parent teacher associations of local schools (Aberdeen).

Qualifications

  • PhD Plant Science 
    1991 - University of Lancaster 
  • Diploma e-learning 
    2014 - University of Aberdeen 
  • Diploma Learning and Teaching 1 
    2010 - University of Aberdeen 
  • Diploma Learning and Teaching 2 
    2011 - University of Aberdeen 
  • Diploma in Counselling Counselling 
    1987 - University of Hertfordshire 
  • PG Cert Education Teaching 
    1979 - University of Exeter 
  • BSc (Hons) Biloogical Sciences 
    1978 - University of Sussex 

Memberships and Affiliations

Internal Memberships

Senate (2016-2020 2023- )

Senior Personal Tutor (2013- )

Disabilities Coordinator (SBS) (2011- )

Honorary Chaplain (Quaker) (2016- )

President, Friends of the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens (2022- )

Chair, Feedback & Assessment Task Group (2016- 2017)

STAR assessor (2014, 2015)

Coordinator, School of Biological Sciences Teaching Swap Shop series (2013-2016)

 

 

PhD supervision

CURRENT

2022—present: Fadamoro, T. STEM lecturers’ Perception of Integration of Blended Learning into the Nigerian Education Curriculum. Supervised with Dr Rachel Shanks (PI), Dr John Mynott.

2020—present: al Onazy, D. Genetics of heart tolerance in the Bengal and Assam Aus Panel (BAAP) of rice, Co-supervised with Prof Adam Price (PI) and Dr Gareth Norton (University of Aberdeen, PhD)

COMPLETED

Abdullahi Umar J (2012-2015) The effect of drought on Acacia senegal (L) Willd. trees. [University of Aberdeen]

Porter-Bolland L (2001) Landscape ecology of apiculture in the Maya area of La Motaña, Campeche, Mexico [University of Florida]

Academic examining

2023: Hazzai, Y. Genetic and physiological investigation of nitrogen use efficiency in rice (University of Aberdeen, PhD).

2023: Mari Sumayli (Rice -arbuscular mycorrhizal associations. University of Aberdeen, PhD)

2017: Ganesan, S (The systematics, phylogeny and conservation assessment of Pterospermum in Malesia, PhD)

2016: Liliana Muñoz (Molecular approach to seaweed biodiversity of Easter Island. (University of Aberdeen, MSc)

2015: Adamu Abubakar, Z. Aquaporins as candidate genes for drought avoidance QTL on rice Chromosome 7 (University of Aberdeen, PhD)

2014: Mytikou, A. Seaweed Biodiversity around the Antarctic Convergence in the South Atlantic (University of Aberdeen, PhD)

2014: Hechenleitner, P. A synopsis of Andean Vicia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), and keys to their identification. ((University of Aberdeen/ Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, PhD))

2011: Dhakal, B (MSc) Protected forest under-planted with Cardamom: impacts and opportunities for conservation and livelihoods (University of Aberdeen, MSc)

2008: Barnes VR. Ecology and management of fuels in tropical forests in Ghana (University of Aberdeen, PhD)

1999: Affum-Baffoe K.  Forest dynamics along an environmental gradient in Ghana (MSc, Aberdeen)

 

 

External Memberships

Higher Education Academy

Senior Fellow

Royal Biological Society

Member

Journal reviewing

African Journal of Ecology, Biotropica, Functional Ecology (formerly Editorial Board), Journal of Ecology, Journal of Tropical Ecology, Journal of Tropical Forest Science, International Tree Crops Journal (formerly editor), Plant Ecology, Tree Physiology, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education

Reviews of scientific proposals

2001. National Science Foundation (for Prof Henry Gholz). Informal review.

Latest Publications

  • Live classroom teaching from the Arctic to the USA and Europe: five different case studies.- Education in the North

    Kuepper, F., Smith, P., Barker, M., Kowalski, S., Grammatiki, K., Avramidi, E., Vollmer, B., Gebke, B., Wolter, L., Dargent, O.
    Education in the North
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Unexpected effects of urban food activism on community and human wellbeing

    Wardle, J., McKenzie, J., Barker, M., Burslem, D., Gray, D.
    Local Environment, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 647-662
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Blended learning: Gain for higher education

    Barker, M., Shanks, R. K., Fadamoro, T. D., Mynott, J.
    Higher Education Teaching and Learning conference - 2023
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • Informality in staff-student communications: a student perspective

    Barker, M., Lemon, J. S.
    Higher Education Teaching and Learning conference - 2023
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • Extending Our Scientific Reach in Arboreal Ecosystems for Research and Management

    Cannon, C. H., Borchetta, C., Anderson, D. L., Arellano, G., Barker, M., Charron, G., LaMontagne, J. M., Richards, J. H., Abercrombie, E., Banin, L. F., Tagle Casapia, X., Chen, X., Degtjarenko, P., Dell, J. E., Durden, D., Guevara Andino, J. E., Hernández-Gutiérrez, R., Hirons, A. D., Kua, C. S., La Vigne, H., Leponce, M., Lim, J. Y., Lowman, M., Marshall, A. J., Michaletz, S. T., Normark, B. B., Penneys, D. S., Schneider, G. F., Strijk, J. S., Tiamiyu, B. B., Trammell, T. L., Vargas-Rodriguez, Y. L., Weintraub-Leff, S. R., Lussier Desbiens, A., Spenko, M.
    Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, vol. 4, 712165
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

View My Publications

Prizes and Awards

  • Shortlisted (2023): Teaching Excellence Awards: ‘Most Accessible Lecturer’ (University of Aberdeen)
  • First Prize (2021 poster): Thriving in an online learning environment -tips from students. 12th Annual Academic Development Symposium (University of Aberdeen)
  • Nominated: Teaching Excellence Awards: ‘Best Lecturer’ (2016) (University of Aberdeen)
  • Nominated: Teaching Excellence Awards: ‘Mental Health Champion’ (2021) (University of Aberdeen)
  • ‘Outstanding Teacher 2001-2002’, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, USA
  • ‘Outstanding Faculty Advisor 2001-2002’, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, USA
Research

Research Overview

Pedagogical research

My interests are focussed on the experience of students as individuals, including:

  • student-staff communication styles
  • iterative feedback
  • adaptive assessment
  • differentiated teaching and learning
  • student-led teaching and learning

Discipline based research

My main interests are in the ecophysiology of trees, particularly in the tropics, including:

  • Ecophysiology of leaves in different light environments
  • Nutrient cycling in tropical rain forests
  • Water relations of plants in desert/drought conditions
  • Sampling (including access) techniques for researching forest canopies

Research Areas

Biological and Environmental Sciences

View Research Area

Education

Supervising
View Research Area

Research Specialisms

  • Biological Sciences
  • Biology

Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

Current Research

Biological research

  • Water relations of plants in desert/drought environments in NE Nigeria

Pedagogical research

  • Differentiated and adaptive learning and assessment
  • Formality/informality in student/staff communication

Supervision

My current supervision areas are: Education.

2022—present: Fadamoro, T. STEM lecturers’ Perception of Integration of Blended Learning into the Nigerian Education Curriculum. Supervised with Dr Rachel Shanks (PI), Dr John Mynott.

2020—present: al Onazy, D. Genetics of heart tolerance in the Bengal and Assam Aus Panel (BAAP) of rice, Co-supervised with Prof Adam Price (PI) and Dr Gareth Norton (University of Aberdeen, PhD)

2012—2015: Abdullahi J. Variation in drought tolerance and morphological plasticity in two provenances of Acacia senegal (Senegalia senegal) seedlings in North Eastern Nigeria (University of Aberdeen, PhD)

2001: Porter-Bolland L (2001) (with Prof Henry Gholz): Landscape ecology of apiculture in the Maya area of La Motaña, Campeche, Mexico (University of Florida, PhD)

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

Programme coordinator

Plant and Soil Science (BSc, Single Honours) [CD27]

Course coordinator

BI10B1 Access Biology / Access Biology SCQF Level 7 (online)

BI2018: Biological Enhanced Skills Training ('BEST')

BI25P4: Plants, People and the Environment

BI25FB The Living Landscape (field course)

PL3505 Plant-Environment Interactions

Course contributor

BI1009: Frontiers in Biological Sciences

BI1012 Diversity of Life 1

BI25F6 Filed Biology

BI29FC Field and Lab Skills in the Biosciences

BI4016 SBS: Honours Projects

BI4017/4517: SBS Honours Essays

BI4301/EV5301: Environmental Pollution

BI4019 Biologists’ School Ambassador Scheme 

EK5505: Ecology, Conservation and Society

ZO3309 Animal Management and Welfare

Two-Day teaching biannual staff training course: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

Contributor: Unit 3 'Feedback', Principles of Learning & Teaching in Higher Education

Supervision

Honours projects

Usually I supervise 3-4 projects each year

MSc projects

Usually I supervise 3-4 prohects each year

PhD projects

Currently co-supervising two PhD projects.
Open to self-funded applicants in a suitable discipline area

Publications

Page 1 of 5 Results 1 to 10 of 49

  • Live classroom teaching from the Arctic to the USA and Europe: five different case studies.- Education in the North

    Kuepper, F., Smith, P., Barker, M., Kowalski, S., Grammatiki, K., Avramidi, E., Vollmer, B., Gebke, B., Wolter, L., Dargent, O.
    Education in the North
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Unexpected effects of urban food activism on community and human wellbeing

    Wardle, J., McKenzie, J., Barker, M., Burslem, D., Gray, D.
    Local Environment, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 647-662
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Blended learning: Gain for higher education

    Barker, M., Shanks, R. K., Fadamoro, T. D., Mynott, J.
    Higher Education Teaching and Learning conference - 2023
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • Informality in staff-student communications: a student perspective

    Barker, M., Lemon, J. S.
    Higher Education Teaching and Learning conference - 2023
    Contributions to Conferences: Posters

  • Extending Our Scientific Reach in Arboreal Ecosystems for Research and Management

    Cannon, C. H., Borchetta, C., Anderson, D. L., Arellano, G., Barker, M., Charron, G., LaMontagne, J. M., Richards, J. H., Abercrombie, E., Banin, L. F., Tagle Casapia, X., Chen, X., Degtjarenko, P., Dell, J. E., Durden, D., Guevara Andino, J. E., Hernández-Gutiérrez, R., Hirons, A. D., Kua, C. S., La Vigne, H., Leponce, M., Lim, J. Y., Lowman, M., Marshall, A. J., Michaletz, S. T., Normark, B. B., Penneys, D. S., Schneider, G. F., Strijk, J. S., Tiamiyu, B. B., Trammell, T. L., Vargas-Rodriguez, Y. L., Weintraub-Leff, S. R., Lussier Desbiens, A., Spenko, M.
    Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, vol. 4, 712165
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Effects of Water Deficit on Growth, Biomass Allocation and Photosynthesis of A. senegal Seedlings from Nguru and Gujba Provinces of Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria

    Barker, M., Abdullahi umar, J.
    Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, vol. 23, no. 12, pp. 2221-2229
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Canopy research: onwards and upwards [Review]

    Barker, M.
    Contributions to Specialist Publications: Reviews of Books, Films and Articles

  • Closing the feedback loop? Iterative feedback between tutor and student in coursework assessments

    Barker, M., Pinard, M.
    Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, vol. 39, no. 8, pp. 899-915
    Contributions to Journals: Articles

  • Introductory Statistics [Review]

    Barker, M.
    n/a
    Contributions to Journals: Reviews of Books, Films and Articles

  • Tutorials for enhancing skills development in first year students taking biological sciences

    Cousins, N. J., Barker, M., Dennis, C., Dalrymple, S., McPherson, L. R.
    Bioscience Education, vol. 20, pp. 68-83
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
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