Meg John Barker

Meg John Barker
Born Meg John Barker
(1974-06-23) 23 June 1974
Hull, England
Nationality British
Education PhD Psychology, University of Nottingham; MA Psychotherapy, University of Sheffield
Occupation author, academic, activist and psychotherapist
Years active 2003–present
Known for leading academic on open non-monogamy, bisexuality, non-binary gender, and BDSM
Website rewriting-the-rules.com

Meg-John Barker (born 23 June 1974) is an author, academic, activist and psychotherapist. A Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the Open University in the United Kingdom, Barker holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Nottingham, and is also a UKCP accredited psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy and relationship counseling.

Barker has written and/or edited some of the first academic collections on open non-monogamy, bisexuality, non-binary gender and BDSM. Barker is editor of the journal Psychology & Sexuality, the lead author of The Bisexuality Report and the writer of the anti self-help book and blog on relationships Rewriting the Rules.

Barker prefers to be addressed with the pronouns they/them/their.

Early life and education

Barker was born in Hull, England, on 23 June 1974, grew up in Bradford, and holds a PhD[1] in Psychology from the University of Nottingham. After teaching at a number of higher education institutions Barker settled at the Open University in 2008, having also qualified with a MA in Psychotherapy from the University of Sheffield and worked in a major NHS sexual and relationship clinic at Guy's Hospital for several years.

Recent career

Barker's main area of research is human sexuality, gender and romantic relationships, with a focus on the experiences of people in sexual, gender and relationship communities located outside the mainstream – particularly polyamorous,[2] kink,[3] non-binary[4] and bisexual communities. Theoretically their work draws on social constructionism, existentialism and Buddhist philosophy. Barker, with co-author Darren Langdridge, has published two edited collections on sadomasochism[5] and on non-monogamy.[6] and a recent book for mental health professionals (co-authored with Christina Richards) Langdridge and Barker also co-edit the journal of Psychology & Sexuality.[7] Barker co-organizes a number of seminar series and conferences, notably the Critical Sexology[8] series, an interdisciplinary project co-organized with Lisa Downing and Robert Gillett; BiReCon[9] (a biennial research conference which takes place prior to the annual BiCon event) and the Pornified[10] and Sense About Sex[11] Projects.

Psychotherapy

Barker leads the Open University module Counselling: Exploring Fear and Sadness[12] and writing for the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapy journal (COSRT,[13] the main UK organisation for Sex and Relationship Therapists)). Barker practices Sexual & Relationship Therapy at London Friend . Barker practices existential psychotherapy and mindfulness with books on the latter[14] developing the approaches of social mindfulness therapy and mindful sex and relationship therapy (MSRT).[15]

Activism

Barker's activism in the area of LGBT&Q rights has been recognized by placement in the top 40 of The Independent on Sunday newspaper's Pink List,[16] and Rainbow List.[17] Barker was one of the founder members of BiUK, the organization for bisexual research and activism.[18] This group wrote the international guidelines for academics studying bisexuality (published in Journal of Bisexuality) and produced The Bisexuality Report which informs UK policy and practice regarding bisexuality based on the evidence regarding biphobia, bisexual invisibility, and mental health[19] In 2013, Barker took home an Erotic Award in the academic category from Times Higher Education,[20] for the book Rewriting the Rules.

Works

Books (as author)

Books (as editor)

Reports

Selected articles and book chapters

Journal editorships

References

  1. ↑ Barker, M. (1999). Student Loneliness: An Exploratory Investigation. PhD. Psychology. University of Nottingham. Unpublished.
  2. ↑ Clarke, V.; Ellis, S. J.; Peel, E.; Riggs, D. W. (2010). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer Psychology: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521700184.
  3. ↑ Weeks, J. (2011). The Languages of Sexuality. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415375733.
  4. ↑ Burr, V. (2015). Social Constructionism (3rd Edition). Routledge ISBN 978-1848721920
  5. ↑ Barker, M.; Langdridge, D. (2013). Safe, Sane and Consensual: Contemporary Perspectives on Sadomasochism. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1137338372.
  6. ↑ Barker, M.; Langdridge, D. (2012). Understanding Non-Monogamies. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415652964.
  7. ↑ "Psychology & Sexuality". Taylor & Francis. ISSN 1941-9899.
  8. ↑ Critical Sexology
  9. ↑ BiReCon
  10. ↑ Pornified?
  11. ↑ Sense About Sex
  12. ↑ Counseling: Exploring Fear and Sadness
  13. ↑ COSRT
  14. ↑ Barker, M. (2013). Mindful Counselling and Psychotherapy. Sage Publications. ISBN 978-1446211113.
  15. ↑ Brotto, L.; Barker, M. (2014). Mindfulness in Sexual and Relationship Therapy. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415736961.
  16. ↑ The Independent on Sunday Pink List 2013
  17. ↑ The Independent on Sunday Rainbow List 2014
  18. ↑ BiUK, ISBN 978-0415517638
  19. ↑ Bisexual stigma and adverse mental health
  20. ↑ Times Higher Education, Erotic Awards, Academic Category 2013

External links

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