Jeffrey Schnapp

Jeffrey Schnapp: Visionary Scholar Shaping the Future of Knowledge, Media and Mobility

Jeffrey Schnapp is one of the most dynamic and interdisciplinary minds in the digital humanities and cultural history landscape. As the founder and faculty director of metaLAB (at) Harvard, Schnapp leads a team at the forefront of integrating technology with humanistic inquiry. His work bridges media studies, design, architecture, and the history of knowledge, with a particular emphasis on how emerging technologies actively reshape our interaction with archives, museums, and libraries through both theoretical exploration and practical innovation.

Originally trained as a medievalist, Jeffrey Schnapp’s career has expanded to encompass a wide array of disciplines, from the material history of literature to the study of Fascist Italy and avant-garde movements such as Futurism and Dada. His expertise in these fields has led to notable collaborations with institutions like the Triennale di Milano, where he contributed to exhibitions on Italian design and architecture, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture, where his work further bridged technology, culture, and history.

Schnapp’s leadership extends into the realm of innovation and mobility as the Chief Visionary Officer of Piaggio Fast Forward. In this role, he has overseen the development of groundbreaking robotic cargo transporters, including the award-winning Gita and Gita Mini. These robots have garnered international recognition for their innovative contributions to personal mobility design, including winning the prestigious Red Dot Award for Best of the Best in 2020.

At Harvard, Schnapp holds the prestigious Carl A. Pescosolido Chair in Romance Languages and Literatures and Comparative Literature, where he teaches courses that reflect his deep interest in experimental humanities and radical pedagogy. His projects, such as the Trento Tunnels, have redefined curatorial practice by transforming public spaces into immersive historical narratives. His commitment to reshaping how we engage with the past and future is also evident in his curatorial work, including the BZ ’18-’45 museum project and exhibitions like Universo Futurista, which highlighted the cultural impact of Italian Futurism.

His publications reflect his wide-ranging intellect, with works such as The Electric Information Age Book and FuturPiaggio, combining historical insight with a forward-thinking vision. He also co-authored The Library Beyond the Book, a critical examination of how libraries can adapt to the challenges and opportunities of the digital era.

Schnapp is a sought-after speaker who captivates audiences across the globe. His lectures span topics from AI and digital culture to design-driven innovation and the future of knowledge systems. He frequently speaks at academic conferences, corporate innovation summits, and cultural forums, where his ability to fuse historical perspective with modern innovation consistently draws praise.

Ideal Audience

Schnapp’s presentations are ideal for audiences at the intersection of academia, technology, and the arts. His speaking style is engaging and thought-provoking, making him a perfect fit for innovation summits, digital humanities conferences, and cultural institutions, where his interdisciplinary insights consistently resonate.