Derek W. M. Barker is a program officer at the Kettering Foundation. He is the editor of the blog series, From Many, We, where he uses his background in political theory to provoke and reframe conversations on the aspirational goals of an inclusive democracy. Barker also leads Kettering Conversations on Democracy, a speaker series that explores the pathways to a stronger democracy, while championing narratives of positivity and inclusion. Barker’s academic publications include the book Tragedy and Citizenship: Conflict, Reconciliation, and Democracy from Haemon to Hegel and numerous articles on democratic theory and engaged forms of scholarship.

Barker’s previous experience includes an appointment as visiting assistant professor of political studies at Pitzer College. He holds a PhD in political science from Rutgers University.