Luca was born in Naples, but was raised in Florence where he attended a Liceo linguistico studying English, French and German. His passion for languages and different cultures led him to move to Dublin to study at Trinity College, where he obtained a BA in German and History of Art. In the course of his studies he spent a year in Berlin, and also became active in the College Modern Languages Society as a teacher of Italian. He next moved to London, earning an MA and PhD in Italian Studies at University College. During his doctoral years he also gained considerable experience in teaching Italian language and literature as a Teaching Assistant at the University. After a year of British Academy-funded post-doctoral research at the British School at Rome, he taught Italian literature at Christ Church, Oxford, before moving back to Florence fifteen years ago where he was on the faculty at an American university study abroad programme, teaching Italian literature and history of art and Italian.
Luca is also published poet and travel-writer and is a translator from English, French and German into Italian. He has received many literary awards and mentions including:
- Special Mention at the Maldini Prize for travel writing (2020, Itaca)
- Special Mention at the Gambrinus Prize – Travel Section (2019, Itaca)
- Finalist at the Marrazza Poetry Prize (2019, Sale del ricordo)
- City of Rimini Prize for best introduction to a poetry book (2010, Arnold de Vos, Stagliamento)
- Sandro Penna Poetry Prize for unpublished book (2007, Territori d’oltremare)
- Camaiore Poetry Prize for best new work (2005, Sensi diversi)
While teaching at Oxford, Luca has supervised extended essays on all periods of Italian literature, from Dante to the present. In Florence he has supervised essays on Dante and on Italian Renaissance art and architecture. We are delighted that Luca is available to support our students of Italian literature and language.