Bob Barnetson, PhD
Professor, Labour Relations
Athabasca University
1-866-418-7198
780-454-9881
barnetso@athabascau.ca
I joined Athabasca University in 2007. I spent the 10 previous years working for a trade union, the Alberta Labour Relations Board, the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board and Alberta Employment and Immigration. In 2013, I was a Research Fellow at the Alberta Workers' Health Centre.
My research centres on the political economy of workplace injury and labour relations. I normally teach courses about human resource management, labour-market training, the Charter, and workplace injury. Previously, my teaching was more focused on labour relations, employment law and trade unionism. At present, I am teaching IDRL 308 (Occupational Health and Safety).
I’m also an active trade unionist, having been involved in seven rounds of negotiations for the faculty association and serving as vice-president (2010/11) and president (2023/24). Most of my recent union work focused on grievances and appeals and strike preparation.
I reside in Edmonton, Alberta with my wife and daughter. Like most AU faculty, I work from home with only occasional trips to the mothership.
