Graduate of Leningrad State University, served several terms as Rector of St. Petersburg State University. At present she is President Emerita of St. Petersburg State University.

Lyudmila Verbitskaya has authored more than 300 papers in Russian and general linguistics. She holds honorary doctorates of the University of Bologna, the University of New York and many other Russian institutions of higher education.

She is President of the International Association of Teachers of Russian and Literature, and since 2013 she has served as President-elect of the Russian Academy of Education. Lyudmila Verbitskaya is member of the Russian Language Council under the auspices of the Government of the Russian Federation.

She has been awarded Orders of Merit of 2nd, 3rd and 4th class, the Order of Honor, the Order of Friendship, the French Order of the Honor Legion, and others.