Barbara Ann Fisher-Townsend, 1950-2020

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Barbara graduated from UNB Fredericton with her PhD in sociology in 2006. Barbara’s research was in the area of domestic violence and religion. With other colleagues at UNB, and abroad, she co-authored several articles and books, including Religion and Intimate Partner Violence: Understanding the Challenges and Proposing Solutions (New York: Oxford University Press, 2018) and Men Who Batter (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015).

Over her 28 year academic career, Barbara held a number of contract positions, including contract academic and contract academic instructor, where she taught a variety of courses in sociology, including interpersonal relations; introduction to sociology; violence against women; deviance, delinquency and criminology; social interaction; and gender.

Friends, coworkers and family members remember Barbara as an exemplary colleague with a teaching style that was lively, innovative and engaging. A beloved and appreciated teacher by all her students and colleagues, she was collegial, proactive and extremely pleasant to work with. As a graduate student, her keen mind and superb work ethic were a winning combination; as a postdoctoral fellow, she was creative, well-informed and diligent; as a teacher, she was knowledgeable, caring and always went the extra mile to assist students; as a field researcher, she was meticulous and observant; and, as a collaborator, she shared the load with competence and an agreeable spirit. Barbara was always ready with a story, a laugh or a homemade treat, and her pleasing manner was felt by many who worked with her.