Richard Barke
Associate Professor

M.A. and Ph.D., University of Rochester, Political Science
B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, Physics

ichard Barke's research interests focus on the roles of politics within science, and of science within politics. Dr. Barke has written about topics such as how scientists translate scientific findings into policy recommendations, the regulation of scientific research (such as human subjects and nanotechnology), the treatment of risk and uncertainty in policy making, the political behavior of scientific disciplines, the impact of university curricula on the organization and advancement of scientific knowledge, and the politics of science budgeting in Congress. He teaches courses on American government, regulatory policy, research policy and management, and science and technology policy. With Prof. Gena Abraham (Civil Engineering), he has taught an interdisciplinary seminar on "Bridging Engineering and the Liberal Arts: Designing Progress."

From 1998 to 2005 Dr. Barke served as associate dean in Georgia Tech's Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts. His earlier positions include visiting scholar at the University of Ghent, Belgium; consultant with the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government; and consultant with the Center for Growth Studies, Houston Area Research Center. Dealing with various aspects of science and technology policy, his research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Army Environmental Policy Institute, and the US Departments of Energy and Commerce. Dr. Barke has received the Georgia Tech Faculty Advisor of the Year Award and the ANAK Society award for his outstanding service to the Institute and to the student body through teaching, research, advisement, and involvement in campus life. He is the author of Science, Technology, and Public Policy and co-author of Governing the American Republic.