Ian R. Dobson holds a Ph.D. from Monash University (2004), with a dissertation entitled Equity, Social Mobility and Australian Higher Education Policy. He also earned a BCom (1970) from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Librarianship (1974) from RMIT. He worked in higher education institutions from 1971 until 2005, and continues to hold an honorary research appointment with Monash University.

Aside from his formal employment posts, Dr. Dobson has operated as a consultant, author, and editor. Since 1993, he has published over 40 papers in scholarly refereed journals and has undertaken consultancies for a range of bodies, including several universities, the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, government departments and the Australian Council of Deans of Science. He was editor of the Journal of Institutional Research from 1997 to 2002, and currently edits the Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management.

Dr. Dobson lives in Melbourne, capital of the State of Victoria, about 6km from the central business district. His hobbies include running, watching Australian Rules football, drinking Australian red wine, reading, and listening to and playing music (drums).