Mette Miriam Böll - Insisting on compassion

Biologist, philosopher, educator, facilitator, and historian of science Mette Miriam Böll is embodiment of the kind of life that emerges when we accept, recognize, and revere our profound interconnectness. Her scholarship as her life are nourishment for returning to the task we are all called to: to human well, at once simple and complex, individual and civilizational.

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Mette is the Co-founder and Research Director of the MIT Systems Awareness Lab, where she studies the impact of compassionate systems change in education. She's the Co-founder and CEO of the related non-profit Center for Systems Awareness. Both entities are the advent of separate initiatives going back more than a decade, collectively focused on establishing and sustaining global communities of researchers, educational practitioners, students, and leaders focused on exploring the impact of integrating contemplative social-emotional learning and systems thinking in education.

As a biologist trained in the evolution of complex social systems, Mette's work is grounded in the core belief that education today must help students recognize, navigate and shape a world of profound interconnectedness. Their goal is to 'to educate internationally minded peaceful citizens for the 21st century.'

She received a Ph.D. in organizational ethology from the Center for Semiotics, Aarhus University, and holds additional degrees in contemplative leadership and the philosophy and history of science.

So I wanted to have this conversation because it is wisdom and nourishment for living now in a world more disorienting and interconnected and complex than most of our education prepares us for. Mette's scholarship, international efforts, and life of care and relationship are supports for navigating this world, and re-imagining the one we want to leave for our children.

Mette, this conversation has been on my mind for years and it would be hard to overstate the gratitude I feel to be talking with you.