Professor Barker has been active in Medical Physics/Clinical Engineering research for over 25 years. His main areas of interest include physiological measurement, electrophysiology, medical uses of electromagnetic fields and the possible health hazards associated with low level fields from sources such as overhead power cables and mobile phones. Tony led the team which developed the technique of magnetic nerve stimulation whereby large magnetic field pulses are used to induce currents in the human body and stimulate nerves. This technique is widely used throughout the world, particularly to stimulate the brain, which it does without discomfort. There is presently much interest in the possible use of magnetic stimulation as a therapy for depression and other psychiatric disorders. Tony is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, whose working party on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields he chairs. He is a past Silvanus P. Thompson and Faraday lecturer.

This is what Professor Barker talked about during our debate:

"We are all surrounded by electromagnetic fields, both man-made and naturally occuring. In recent years there has been increasing public concern that the fields from overhead power cables and mobile phones may have adverse health effects.
This talk briefly overviewed the concepts of the electromagnetic spectrum along with electric and magnetic fields. Examples of the man-made sources to which we are exposed and established mechanisms of interaction with the human body were considered in the context of the relevant safety standards. A demonstration of the very real effects of large pulsed magnetic fields was given with the aid of members of the audience!"