Barker is now the first recipient of this prestigious eponymous award recognizing technical knowledge, exemplary service, and enthusiastic mentoring.

Mar 03, 2026

ASTM International’s personal protective clothing and equipment committee (F23) has established the Roger L. Barker Award of Excellence to honor distinguished service and lasting contributions to the field of protective clothing and to the mission of committee F23. Roger Barker, Burlington Distinguished Professor at North Carolina State University, is now the first recipient of this prestigious eponymous award recognizing technical knowledge, exemplary service, and enthusiastic mentoring.

Barker is a decades-long member of ASTM. His leadership and expertise have provided critical technical contributions to many key test methods within committee F23, including the standard for using a full-scale fire manikin to evaluate the thermal protective clothing of workwear used for flash fire protection (ASTM F1930), among others. He organized and chaired the first ASTM Symposium on Protective Clothing held in 1984 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Barker is the founding Director of North Carolina State University’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC), a recognized world leader in the specialized area of evaluating protective materials and the comfort of textiles. His research has improved the safety and health of people through improved testing standards for textiles, and clothing and by scientific achievements in protective materials and clothing systems. Two generations of his student graduates have become leaders in ASTM’s personal protective clothing and equipment committee. 

Media Inquiries: Gavin O’Reilly, tel +1.610.832.9618; goreilly@astm.org

Release #13062

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