Jonathan Barker qualified in Medicine at Guy’s Hospital in 1981. Having completed his internal medicine training (MRCP 1985) he undertook Dermatology training in the Department of Dermatology, Guy’s Hospital, from 1985 to 1991, including a Senior Research Fellowship in the Department of Dermatology and Pathology at the University of Michigan, USA (1989-90). In 1991 he was appointed Senior Lecturer in Dermatology and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology. In 2000 he was promoted to Professor of Clinical Dermatology. Professor Barker has been Academic Head of St John’s Institute of Dermatology from 2002 until August 2018.

Professor Barker sits on the Editorial Board of several scientific journals. He is heavily involved in postgraduate education, for example through his chairmanship of the Annual Course for UK Dermatologists. He also plays a prominent role in international dermatology. He is presently President of the European Dermatology Forum, having been Secretary-General since 2003. He is a Director of the International Psoriasis Council (2006-present).