Kelly Cooper

Kelly Cooper is a Lecturer and Head of Department at the School of Social Sciences and Professions, London Metropolitan University. A first-generation student with dyslexia, she overcame academic self-doubt to become a champion for educational fairness and diversity. Her career began in early childhood work, leading to part-time studies at London Met, which she completed over four-and-a-half years. She later earned a master’s degree and transitioned to academia, driven by a passion for empowering students to believe in their potential. As a leader, she advocates for accessible education, particularly for underrepresented groups, and spearheaded initiatives like the annual Family Day to support student-parents.

Education: Part-time undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Studies (4.5 years), followed by a master’s degree at London Met.
Leadership: Participated in a government-funded leadership programme and transitioned to academia via assessor roles, eventually becoming a classroom instructor.
Advocacy: Focuses on equitable education, student resilience, and community-driven learning. Celebrates London Met’s inclusive ethos, mirroring her East London roots.

Key Initiatives: Launched the Family Day event to celebrate student-parents and combat homelessness barriers in education. Integrates real-world issues into curricula, fostering open debates on social justice.