Clara Barker


Clara Michelle Barker is a British engineer and material scientist. In 2017 she received the Points of Light award from the UK Prime Minister's Office for her work that raises awareness of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender issues within the University community and beyond.

Career and Research

Barker completed her thesis on thin film coating at Manchester Metropolitan University. She then held a post-doctoral position at EMPA in Switzerland for 4 years, before she moved to the University of Oxford, where she currently manages the Centre for Applied Superconductivity within the Materials Department. She is also vice-chair of the University’s LGBT+ Advisory Group.

LGBT+ advocacy

Barker is a transgender woman and a strong advocate for LGBT+ diversity and women in STEM. She works with two youth groups in Oxfordshire. She also speaks in local schools on behalf of Stonewall and the Oxford City Council. In 2017, she was featured in a Stonewall poster campaign for Trans Day of Visibility. She also led the promotion of the 'Out in Oxford' project, a project which highlights LGBT+ artefacts in museums. She has given numerous talks on LGBT+ visibility and diversity in STEM, including a TEDx talk. She has also appeared on BBC Victoria Derbyshire and Sky News talking about transgender rights.
Barker has received several awards for her advocacy. In 2017 she was the 795th person to receive the Points of Light award for her work with 'Out in Oxford' and the volunteering in her local area. As part of the Points of Light award, Theresa May personally wrote to Barker, stating that “ tireless volunteer work with LGBT+ groups across Oxford is educating young people and members of the public in the importance of diversity and different identities. a positive role model for the community and should be proud of ongoing work in transgender education and support.”
In 2018 she won the Vice-Chancellor's Diversity Awards from Oxford University.