Dieter Lenzen is Professor of Philosophy of Education. He founded the journal "Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft" (Journal of Educational Science) and is editor of the 12-volume "Enzyklopädie der Erziehungswissenschaft" (Encyclopedia of Educational Science).

He has headed a number of projects in the realm of educational research, both for public institutions and private companies, and has chaired Germany's Aktionsrat Bildung (Action Committee for Education) since 2005. He is member of several committees and associations, including the Council of Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, the Board of Germany's Relief Coalition "Aktion Deutschland Hilft" and the Advisory Board of Deutsche Telekom Foundation's "Innovationsindikator Deutschland".

Starting in March 2010, Dieter Lenzen will be the new President of the University of Hamburg. From 1999 to February 2010, he was Executive Committee Member of Freie Universität Berlin, initially as Vice President and then President as of 2003. He is also Vice President (since May 2007) of the University Rectors Conference and Council Member of the European University Association.