Joseph Luzzi (PhD, Yale) is Professor of Comparative Literature at Bard College and the founder of DeepRead, which offers a radically new approach to leadership and business education by basing its teaching and “test cases” on the great ideas of literature, history, and philosophy. An internationally acclaimed speaker described by the Toronto Globe and Mail as a “Rock Star Professor,” Dr. Luzzi has inspired audiences worldwide with his passionate insights into how art, literature, and the humanities can change our world.
Dr. Luzzi speaks and consults regularly for businesses, corporations, and conferences, with typical clients ranging from a major global financial services firm to New York University’s Stern Business School Executive MBA program.
His books include My Two Italies, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, and In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love, which has been translated into Italian, German, and Korean.
Luzzi’s numerous honors and awards include a Yale College Teaching Prize, NEH Fellowship from the National Humanities Center, and fellowships from Harvard’s Villa I Tatti Center for Renaissance Studies and Yale’s Whitney Humanities Center. Luzzi was named Honorary Citizen of his family’s Italian birthplace for outstanding cultural contributions in 2017, and he is fluent in both Italian and French.
Testimonials
“At One Day University we work with over 200 different professors, and Joseph Luzzi is one of the very best. His ability to connect with any audience and explain complex material in an interesting and accessible way is quite remarkable. Plus, he has substantial expertise in so many areas (literature, film, history, language, etc.) that I can honestly say Professor Luzzi is a ‘Renaissance Man.’ ”
Steven Schragis, Founder/Director, One Day University, New York, NY
“The standing ovation at the end of Luzzi's talk—extremely rare and perhaps even unique in Morning Forum's 69-year history—is testament to how truly exceptional a speaker he was. His talk might have been merely compelling; it was inspirational. He might have been merely engaging as a speaker; he was charismatic. He might have been merely enthusiastic in presenting his material; he as passionate. The 400 or so members who were lucky enough to have heard Luzzi's talk were clearly thanking him for a wonderfully (and brilliantly) uplifting experience.”
Tim Farrell, Series Organizer, Morning Forum Lecture Series
