She was appointed an OBE in the 2018 New Year Honours List for services to agricultural science and biotechnology.
After her post-doctoral period at Kansas State University, Barsby worked at the biopharmaceutical company Allelix Inc, Ontario, Canada for several years before returning to the UK in 1989.
[4] She has also coordinated work to develop "superwheat" and other new crops and methods of farming, with environmental impact a particular focus.
[5] Barsby was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 New Year Honours List for services to UK Agricultural Science and Biotechnology, and was praised for her scientific achievements.
[6][7][8] On receiving this award, she stated: “I think this honour only serves to underline the importance of this national initiative to ensure good standards of production across the UK supply chain from farm to retail shelf.”Barsby is a member of the Agri-Food Technology Council.