Al Filreis

Al Filreis is the Kelly Professor of English and Faculty Director of the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a leading scholar of modern and contemporary American poetry, digital pedagogy, and cultural history. His work bridges literary criticism, Holocaust studies, and innovative online education initiatives.

• Kelly Professor of English
• Faculty Director, Kelly Writers House
• Director, Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing
• Co-Director, PennSound
• Publisher, Jacket2

His research focuses on modern American poetry, particularly Wallace Stevens and postwar literary politics, digital pedagogy, and Holocaust literature. He has authored influential books on these topics and pioneered the ModPo massive open online course, engaging 265,000 participants globally.

Recent publications include The Classroom and the Crowd (2025), exploring digital education, and 1960 (2021), analyzing postwar cultural shifts. His ongoing projects span digital humanities, collaborative learning, and a literary history of the American 1950s.

Scientific awards include the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. He has mentored students across decades, including Rachel (1990s) and her son Josh (current advisee). His initiatives include ModPo, PennSound, and Jacket2, advancing poetry scholarship through technology.