Research
My research takes a highly interdisciplinary approach to investigate fundamental ethical, social and legal issues that concern our contemporary society through the lens of Renaissance humanism. I am a graduate in Modern Languages (Italian) from Balliol College, University of Oxford, where I studied for my BA Hons degree, and Master of Studies degree.
The Ethics of Loyalty: Justice, Trust and the Pursuit of Certainty in the works of Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472)
The focus of my doctoral studies centres on the works of the Italian Renaissance polymath, Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472). My thesis examines the concept of loyalty in Alberti’s humanist philosophy and its influence on his moral and literary identity. The advent of humanism in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries stimulated a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman texts, and the moral values which were discussed in those works. The classical sources of Cicero, Seneca and Quintilian, whom Alberti primarily draws upon in his works, held loyalty (Latin ‘fides’) to be the most important moral virtue. Loyalty was considered to be at the core of the model of Roman civic virtue, and essential to the stable and efficient operation of all aspects of Roman political, commercial and familial life. Yet, despite the emphasis on classical virtues in early Renaissance culture, and the frequent reference to loyalty throughout Alberti’s texts, the study of the concept of loyalty in Alberti’s works has been overlooked to date. The principal aim of my thesis research is to conduct the first structured analysis of Alberti’s moral theory of loyalty and its importance to his philosophy and identity as a writer. I examine Alberti’s representations of loyalty across his literary and technical works, including De iure (1437), Apologi centum (1437), Canis (1438), Musca (c.1442-43), De equo animante (c. 1444-50), I libri della famiglia (c. 1433-40), Vita (c. 1438), Momus (c. 1443-50), and De iciarchia (c. 1465-70).
My intellectual interests centre on loyalty, trust, certainty, and innovation in social and economic networks, taking a comparative approach to propose original solutions to contemporary challenges. I have been invited to speak at a number of international academic and industry conferences, and regularly publish articles in international journals and publications. I also have a strong interest in public engagement and impact outreach, presenting talks and writing extensively for industry and public-facing journals aimed at wider audiences.
Teaching
I am College Lecturer in Modern Languages (Italian) at Keble College where I teach Italian Renaissance Literature. In the Italian Sub-Faculty, I lecture on Italian Renaissance Literature, and I teach pre-modern Italian translation and modern Italian translation into English to undergraduates.
Academic activities
I am the Co-convenor and Treasurer of the Italian Research Seminar series of the University of Oxford Italian Sub-faculty. I lead the program for organizing visiting academics and distinguished scholars to present their work to the sub-faculty and to stimulate discussion.
Selected Publications
Articles
‘Redefining originality in Alberti’s ‘mosaic’ for judicial determination in De iure (1437)’, Albertiana, 27.1 (n.s. 10), 2025
‘Martin McLaughlin and his Studies on Leon Battista Alberti: Perspectives on a Legacy’, Modern Language Review, 105.4, October 2025
Seminars and Conference Papers
‘Betrayal, Slander and the Restoration of Justice: Alberti's Rules for Governance’, University of Oxford Italian Research Seminar, 11 May 2026
‘Reputation as social capital: the economy of ‘fama’ in I libri della famiglia (1433-43)’, University of Oxford Italian Research Seminar, 16 June 2025
‘The Elements of Justice in Leon Battista Alberti’s De iure (1437)’, The 16th Annual Harvard-Brown Graduate Student Conference in Italian Studies: Chiasmi 2025, 4 April 2025
‘Innovative Designs for Justice: Leon Battista Alberti’s De iure (1437)’, Renaissance Society of America Annual Meeting 2025, 22 March 2025
‘Leon Battista Alberti’s theory on cultivating loyalty in the civil context’, University of Oxford Italian Research Seminar, 10 June 2024
‘The Ethics of Loyalty: decoding the loyalty gene in the works of Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472)’, University of Oxford Italian Research Seminar, 12 June 2023
Awards & Scholarships
University of Oxford Isaiah Berlin Fund Scholarship
University of Oxford Medieval and Modern Languages Faculty Graduate Grant
Balliol College Graduate Project Award
Fondazione ‘Centro Studi di Leon Battista Alberti’ Scholarship
Balliol College Brassey Prize
Balliol College Brassey Scholarship
Teaching
College Lecturer in Modern Languages (Italian), Keble College 2026
University of Oxford, Final Honours School of Modern Languages, Paper IIA (Italian Translation) Classes
University of Oxford, Final Honours School of Modern Languages, Paper III (Pre-Modern Italian Translation) Tutorials
University of Oxford, Final Honours School of Modern Languages, Paper VII (Literature 1430-1635) Tutorials
University of Oxford, Final Honours School of Modern Languages, Paper VII (Literature 1430-1635) Lecture series