• Dr. Timothy Kang, Supervisor
• Dr. Hongming Cheng, Committee Member
• Dr. Lisa Jewell, Cognate Member

Barnes has dedicated his sociological focus to examining the systemic deficiencies within the criminal justice system, focusing on social justice, inequality, and institutional failures, especially as they impact Blacks and vulnerable communities.  His work intersects various fields, including crime, policing, socio-legal studies, Black studies, and race relations, comprehensively analyzing how structural inadequacies perpetuate injustice.

Barnes earned his BA in Economics and Sociology from the University of Cape Coast.  His knowledge garnered laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to understanding social inequalities.  His MPhil thesis focused on deficiencies in the Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution system within Ghana's Judicial Service and revealed the institutional shortcomings and their effect on justice delivery.  This early work set the stage for his continued focus on legal and social systems. 

His current PhD dissertation explores Blacks communities' perceptions of law enforcement, applying critical race theory and group position theory to understand how race and power dynamics shape these interactions. His research aims to uncover how historical and sytemic biases in policing contribute to ongoing racial tensions, to inform policy reforms that promote fairness and eqality in law enforcement. Barnes' scholarship critically addresses theoretical and practical dimensions of race and policing in contemporary society. 

Barnes is a Teaching Scholarship Doctoral Fellow.