Mette is a biologist by training, specializing in the evolution of complex social systems, mammalian play behavior and philosophy of nature. Mette has 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. She uses her training in these diverse areas to research how moods and feelings are transmitted in social relations and how the resulting relational fields in turn shape the larger systems human beings are parts of, with a particular focus on education. 
In 2014, Boell joined Peter Senge and Daniel Goleman to form the Triple Focus Initiative, which then merged into the Garrison Global Collaboration for Integrative Learning. Currently, Dr. Boell serves as a visiting scientist with the Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) working to transform education globally. She also serves as the co-founder and director of Center for Systems Awareness.