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Professor Susan Lea

Professor Susan Lea is passionate about the role of universities in transforming individual lives and positively impacting society through education, research and community engagement.
Institution
Advance HE
Job Title
Programme Facilitator

She has substantial experience of leading successful change in diverse higher education institutions and has held a range of senior executive leadership roles, including at King’s College London and the University of Greenwich. Most recently she was Vice Chancellor of the University of Hull where she led a major programme of transformation to clarify the University’s identity and purpose, ensure financial sustainability, and improve outcomes and performance. A strongly values-driven leader, Susan believes that authentic engagement, openness and transparency are core to enabling lasting change.

Susan is a psychologist, having trained specifically in community psychology. She is now a higher education consultant, specialising in developing effective strategy and delivering change through meaningful and purposeful action. Susan has mentored colleagues and supported their professional and leadership development over many years and continues to enjoy working with the next generation of leaders individually or with their teams. In particular, Susan is committed to social justice and systemic change; therefore, equality, diversity and inclusion are important aspects of Susan's own practice and approach.