Ian Barron
ibarron@umass.edu
Professor, Director Center for International Education
Professional Interests: 
Child and adult traumatization and recovery in war, military occupation, and domestic violence; Mass trauma (terrorism & disasters) response; Mass migration and trauma; School-based abuse prevention; Clerical child sexual abuse; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

 

B.Sc., University of Stirling, 1985

M.App.Sci., University of Glasgow, 1987

D.Ed.Psy., University of Dundee, 2009

 

Dr. Barron’s research has begun with impact in mind, through identification of the most effective methods of child trauma education, prevention, and recovery. Children in war and domestic violence contexts have been the focus of education, intervention and study. Dr Barron has sought to bring the highest standards of practice and rigorous evaluative research to the most adverse and complex of situations. Interdisciplinary projects span local, national and international settings and have developed over many years from cumulative funding. The breadth and depth of influence of this research has been captured in a Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact case study rated as outstanding and world leading

 

On-going research seeks to develop a unique cross-cultural conceptualization of intergenerational and developmental trauma in children. Dr. Barron established the International Centre for Child Trauma Prevention and Recovery to develop global trauma recovery research projects, and the Trauma Response Network to respond to mass trauma events, e.g. terrorism.

 

Dr. Barron has received a CARE Accolade from the Scottish Social Services Council for his work in juvenile detention, an Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in occupied Palestine, and is a recognized Impact Champion (University of Dundee).

 

Recent Activities

 

Dr. Barron’s recent activities include establishing the Conflict and Migration research theme (Global Challenges Research Fund), developing PhD Humanitarian Scholarships for students from An Najah International University, Nablus, and in partnership with CARE (Ramallah) organizing a national Mental Health symposium in the West Bank, occupied Palestine.

 

In collaboration with the Children and War Foundation and Fight for Peace, Dr. Barron is currently PI for a project that aims to address child traumatization in Brazilian Favelas and a co-PI on a project that explores the transition of youth in juvenile detention to independent living (Glasgow, Scotland).

 

This year, Dr. Barron has submitted journal manuscripts on clerical child sexual abuse across global religions; organizational child sexual abuse and disability; and a trauma-specific approach to suicide prevention in juvenile detention. Keynote presentations in Dundee, London, and Ramallah covered Refugee traumatization and recovery; CBT with paraprofessionals - lessons for EMDR; and Ten years of trauma recovery capacity building and research in occupied Palestine.

 

Finally, international trauma-informed trainings and seminars included topics of substance use, pre-birth trauma, children’s understanding of confidentiality, vicarious trauma, trauma-informed schools, and complicated grief in children and adolescents.

 

Recent publications

  1. Rashid, F. and Barron, I. (2019). Safeguarding culture in the catholic church of England and Wales in the 21st century: An examination of progress. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 28(8), 885-906. doi: 10.1080/10538712.2019.1577934
  2. Barron, I.G., Bourgaize, C., Lampertz, D., Swinton, C. & Darker-Smith, S. (2019). Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing for children with posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic narrative review. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 270-283. doi: 10.1891/emdr.13.4
  3. Matthew, L., Barron, I., & Hodson, A. (2019). Participatory Action Research: Confidentiality and Attitudes of Victimized Young People Unknown to Child Protection Agencies. International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice2(1-2), 79-97. doi: 10.1007/s42448-019-00020-x
  4. Rashid, F. & Barron, I. (2019). Mainstream media: Why the focus of clerical CSA has remained on the Catholic Church amongst other denominations and faiths? Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 28(5), 564-585, doi: 10.1080/10538712.2018.1563261
  5. Matthew, L., Barron, I.G. & Hodson, A. (2019). Narrative literature review: young child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors, unknown to child protection services, views on confidential services. International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect, 2(1-2), 79-97. doi: 10.1007/s42448-019-00020-x
  6. Barron, I., Allardyce, S. & Young, H. (2019). Exploration of the relationship between severe and complex disabilities and child sexual abuse. A call for relevant research. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 7, 759- 780. doi: 10.1080/10538712.2019.1645782
  7. Barron, I. (2018). Editorial: EMDR with Children and Adolescents. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12(4), 174-176. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.12.4.174.
  8. Wilson, G., Farrell, D., Barron, I., Hutchins, J., Whybrow, D., & Kiernan, M. (2018). The use of Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A systematic narrative review. Frontiers, 9, 923. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00923
  9. Barron, I. & Mitchell, D. (2018). The Fairy Tale Model: Secure facility therapist perceptions. Journal of Adolescent Trauma, 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s40653-018-0203-2
  10. Ingram, R. & Barron, I. (2018). Social work and vicarious trauma: risks and opportunities of emotional engagement. Journal of Chinese Social Construction. http://oversea.cnki.net/kns55/default.aspx
  11. Rashid, F. & Barron, I. (2018). Critique of the Vatican’s role in recent child protection practice: A Short Report. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27(2), 141-153. doi: 10.1080/10538712.2018.1425948