Biography

Charles Barker is Head of the School of Law, having been appointed to the role in 2024. He previously served as Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Business and Law from 2019 to 2024 and has held a number of leadership positions within the School, including Associate Head and Director of Postgraduate Law Courses.

Charles joined the University in 2007 after a career spanning legal practice, public service and higher education. He practised as a barrister in independent practice from 1997 to 2003 following his call to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. He subsequently served as an Assistant Land Registrar at HM Land Registry, where he developed a particular interest in legal training and professional education, designing and delivering programmes for both internal and external audiences.

Since joining the University, he has contributed extensively to the development of legal education, curriculum innovation and academic leadership across undergraduate and postgraduate provision.

Charles originally studied History at the University of Durham before studying Law at the University of Sussex and the Inns of Court School of Law. He holds an MA in Humanities from the Open University and a PhD in Technology Enhanced Learning from Lancaster University. His academic and professional interests include legal education, technology-enhanced learning, innovative approaches to teaching and assessment and the effective design and implementation of reasonable adjustments in higher education.

As Head of the School of Law, Charles provides strategic leadership for the School's academic provision, research activities, student experience and external partnerships.