Mark Vernon is a writer, journalist, author and faculty member at The School of Life. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England, left an atheist, and is now agnostic.

He is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck College, London and writes regularly for the Guardian, The Philosophers' Magazine, TLS, Financial Times and New Statesman, alongside a range of business titles, including Management Today. He also broadcasts, notably on BBC Radio 4's In Our Time.

Mark also co-created The School of Life's Love course, which he currently teaches, alongside other courses.

'He's never gonna be modelling for any L'Oreal ads but in a world too often peopled by mind-numbingly boring journeymen, Vernon is a one-off. A doctor of philosophy who understands the tech business world and writes books about friendship has got to be worth listening to.' - Matthew Gwyther, Editor, Management Today