 Barry was Acting Director of the Institute of Governance, Public Policy and Social Research at Queen's University Belfast and is currently Reader in Politics in the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy and Assistant Director of the Institute for a Sustainable World.From January 2007 to June 2007 Barry was the "Benedict Distinguished Visiting Professor of Political Science" at Carleton College in Northfield, MN.He has written many books and academic articles on sustainable development, environmental policy and the economics of sustainability.