Emma Seppälä

About

Dr. Emma Seppälä is a research scientist, psychologist, bestselling author, and faculty member at the Yale School of Management, where she teaches courses on leadership, emotional intelligence, and well-being. Her research explores the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and human behavior, focusing particularly on happiness, emotional regulation, social connection, and holistic approaches to mental health.In her roles at both Yale and as the Science Director at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Dr. Seppälä has conducted randomized clinical trials to evaluate evidence-based interventions for trauma and mental health. These studies, which include work with veterans and college students, investigate how practices like breathwork, mindfulness, and emotional regulation can promote resilience and healing.Dr. Seppälä’s work has been published in top academic journals and widely covered by major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and CBS News. She is the author of The Happiness Track (HarperOne, 2016) and Sovereign (Hay House, 2024), where she translates complex scientific findings into practical strategies for cultivating well-being, emotional intelligence, and resilience in everyday life.In addition to her academic research, Dr. Seppälä collaborates with Fortune 500 companies to apply science-based strategies aimed at improving workplace well-being and leadership. Her research has also been featured in TEDx talks and documentaries, including Free the Mind and The Altruism Revolution.Dr. Seppälä has received several awards for her contributions to the field of well-being, including the James W. Lyons Award from Stanford University, recognizing her creation of the university’s first academic course on the psychology of happiness and her initiative in launching well-being programs for students.With extensive international experience, Dr. Seppälä has worked and taught across the U.S., Europe, and China, applying her research and teachings in diverse cultural contexts and collaborating with international teams to implement science-based mental health and leadership programs. She holds degrees from Yale (BA), Columbia (MA), and Stanford (Ph.D.), and is fluent in French, English, and German, with conversational proficiency in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.