Professor Emeritus David Barton

Professor Emeritus David Barton

The University deeply regrets to report the death of Professor Emeritus David Barton from the Department of Linguistics and English Language on 18 October 2024, and extends its sincere condolences to his family and to his friends and colleagues from across the world.

David was a member of the Lancaster University community from 1981 until his retirement in 2019.

David was a wonderful colleague, and a beloved friend of many in the Department and the University. David was a giant in Literacy Studies, and his research has had a major impact on the wider field as well as on the shape and history of the Department.

David was hugely influential in developing and promoting what is known as the (New) Literacy Studies (NLS), a way of thinking about reading and writing not primarily as cognitive skills but as social practices: something people do in their everyday lives, at work, in their communities and homes.His books, including ‘Literacy – the ecological view of written language’ and ‘Local literacies’ (co-authored with Mary Hamilton), presenting ideas and research findings with clarity, wisdom and wit, made the social practices view internationally known and appreciated.

David was co-founder and lifetime Director of the Lancaster Literacy Research Centre. Between 2002 and 2009, his work was closely linked to the National Research and Development Centre for Adult Literacy and Numeracy (NRDC), of which the Lancaster Literacy Research Centre was a core partner. Funded by the then Department for Education and Skills, David, together with colleagues at Lancaster and elsewhere, was at the forefront of shaping a major government initiative to support adult literacy, language and numeracy education. This initiative, Skills for Life, was a unique collaboration between academics like David, practitioners and policy-makers from central government, leading to a highly successful sector reform of adult education provision in England in the 2000s. David’s tireless, generous and inspirational work to develop and bring about this reform stands out as an example of a scholar dedicated to conduct research that translates into practice and policy and which led to real changes in educational provision.

David’s influence on the field is also a result of his long-standing editorial work, including as editor of two highly successful Routledge book series. He was an extremely generous colleague, collaborator, editor and supervisor, never hesitating to offer advice and support, to share ideas and to engage with others in developing new ideas for research and collaborations. He was full of enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity, had a way of believing in everybody’s capacity and an unfailing sense of positivity which inspired his many collaborators, colleagues and friends, in Lancaster and internationally.

David’s funeral will take place on Friday, 8th November 2024 at 3.30pm at Beetham Hall Crematorium. This will be preceded by a celebration of his life at the Kendal Unitarian Chapel starting at 1pm.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to Cumbria Wildlife Trust or to The Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship.

An online book of condolence has been opened for members of the community to share their own memories and tributes for David.

Anyone wishing to attend the funeral and/or the celebration is respectfully requested to contact Uta Papen for details and catering purposes.

Uta Papen and Karin Tusting, Department of Linguistics and English Language, October 2024

Accessing support

Support services are available to all staff and students. If you have been affected by this news, or if there are any other challenges you may be facing, please talk about it. The support services available include:

Support is also available from charities such as Sudden, the Samaritans, The Good Grief Trust, Mind and Papyrus.

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