Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Dr Will Barker
Senior Lecturer
Dr. Will Barker is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the fields of Remote Sensing, Audio Engineering, and Music Technology at Leeds Beckett University.
Will joined Leeds Beckett in 2015 following a career as a Research Scientist in the Wind Energy sector where he developed and deployed laser systems for wind measurement. In his current role Will is furthering his research into remote sensing systems in the context of the Music and Sound Group through the development of laser systems for remote acoustic measurement in an initial programme that has attracted school funding and is aimed at submission to the Research Excellence Framework.
Will holds a PhD in a music technology related engineering discipline awarded by Leeds Beckett University (Formerly Leeds Metropolitan University) in 2007 and has been a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineering and Technology since 2012. Will has a record of published works dating back to 2003 that includes numerous conference papers, articles in high level journals and an Annex of an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Current Teaching
Will is currently Lead Tutor on the MSc. course in Audio Engineering on which he teaches subjects related to software engineering, signal processing, acoustics and test and measurement. He also teaches in these subject areas on undergraduate courses in Audio Engineering and Music Technology.
Research Interests
Will’s research interests fall in the area of the application of light to observe and understand the behaviour of sound. His research follows a common engineering thread that links his initial PhD study on an early pioneering musical instrument called the Theremin with the development of heterodyning laser systems for wind measurement and the application of novel optical techniques for measuring and recording sound. With the help of internal school funding, Will has established a photonics development facility in which he is conducting practical investigations into the subject area with the goal of developing systems for the remote recording of high quality full-bandwidth acoustic signals at range.
