Over the course of her distinguished career, Professor Lynn Dobbs has forged a professional reputation as an academic, researcher and leader with a strong passion for tackling social exclusion and raising the educational aspirations of young people. Lynn's research has impacted business developments and public policy at local, national and international levels.
Since her appointment, in October 2018, the University has seen a transformation with income growing by 50%, domestic student numbers rebounding to sustainable levels and a re-emergence into the international student market taking the University past levels in its heyday. She is particularly proud that this is being achieved alongside significant improvements increased satisfaction from the students; NSS scores have had year-on-year improvements; and a recent staff survey has the University well above benchmark.
Lynn has carried her commitment to equity and inclusion with her into her role as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London Met. In the foreword to the University’s landmark Race Equity Strategic Plan, published in 2020, Lynn said “We will not lose our commitment to this agenda. This strategy is very important to us. It puts into print the hard targets that we need to achieve, so we can better support the communities that we are so proud to work with.”
In 2020, Lynn announced an investment of £15 million over five years to make effective, tangible change through its Race Equity Strategic Plan. By fixing the academic pipeline, the University ensures that its staff and decision-makers reflect the diversity of its students and our local communities, as well as changing our institutional culture through an ambitious staff development programme. London Met is also funding research projects that directly relate to this strategy.
All this change has the sector talking about London Met positively.
Lynn’s commitment to equality was recognised by the Evening Standard in 2019 when she was named in their Progress 1000 list for her activism in this area. She was the only university Vice-Chancellor to be included.
Prior to London Met Lynn was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Roehampton University, and Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Northumbria University.
