John F. Barber, PhD

John Barber

John F. Barber is a scholar-teacher-artist.

His scholarship is guided by action / practice-based research and transformative practice. Examples include the intersection, overlay, and interplay of computers and writing, a bibliographical and biographical information structure concerning the life and works of American author Richard Brautigan, and the use of sound(s) as the basis of storytelling. His scholarship is international, peer reviewed / juried / curator selected.

His teaching encourages students to learn a body of knowledge through reading and discussion, think critically about how to best use this knowledge to solve real-world, needs-driven problems, build a solution designed to best address that problem, reflect on the outcome(s), and rapidly iterate an improved outcome. This combination of action research+creative practices can reveal tacit knowledge that theoretical studies alone cannot.

His creative practices focus on sound(s)—radio, sound art, and storytelling. All follow the idea that sound engages with listeners’ imaginations to shape images and stories of their own making. Sound promotes immersion, engagement, and expression of personal experience. Barber's works include literary media art, international radio art broadcasts, sound art installations, gallery exhibitions, performances, and more. Peer reviewed / juried / curator selected.