Marc Brackett is a renowned psychologist, professor, and author whose career has been dedicated to transforming how individuals, organisations, and societies understand and harness the power of emotions. As the Founding Director of Yale University’s Centre for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Yale Child Study Centre, he is one of the most influential voices in social and emotional learning. His bestselling books, including Permission to Feel and Dealing with Feeling, along with his TEDx talk, have inspired millions to rethink the value of emotions in everyday life.
Marc’s journey began with academic excellence, earning a PhD in Personality and Social Psychology from the University of New Hampshire after earlier qualifications in forensic psychology and psychology. He gained early teaching and research experience as an adjunct professor at Iona College and St. Peter’s University, and at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He went on to become a postdoctoral fellow and lecturer in Yale’s Department of Psychology before progressing to senior roles, including associate research scientist and associate director of the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence. He also served as deputy director of the Health, Emotion and Behaviour Laboratory and continues to teach at Columbia University’s Summer Principles Academy. These roles deepened his expertise in emotional intelligence and laid the foundations for the innovative approaches he would later champion.
Across his 25-year career as an award-winning researcher, Marc has published over 175 scholarly articles and secured more than 100 million dollars in grant funding to advance the science and practice of emotional intelligence. He is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning adopted by over 5,000 schools worldwide, improving the lives of millions of students. His expertise has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Good Morning America, and The Today Show. He serves on the board of directors for the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning and on the programme board for the Mental Health Coalition. As co-founder of Oji Life Lab and co-creator of the award-winning How We Feel app, he has developed accessible tools for building emotional skills.
Marc’s appeal as a motivational speaker lies in his rare ability to combine rigorous science with compelling storytelling. He has delivered over 700 keynotes at venues ranging from the White House and the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. His talks leave audiences informed, inspired, and ready to see emotions as a driving force for achievement, stronger relationships, and lasting well-being.
