Al Coppola

Al Coppola is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. He holds a PhD from Fordham University, an MA from New York University, and a BA from Yale University.

His research focuses on the interplay between natural philosophy and spectacle in the long eighteenth century, with key projects exploring Enlightenment technologies, scientific visibility, and the cultural legacy of early modern science. Current initiatives include Enlightenment Visibilities, tracing the evolution of knowledge systems from early modern instruments to contemporary Big Data.

Dr. Coppola's interests span History of Science, Theater and Performance Studies, and Restoration literature. He co-founded the Science Studies Caucus of the American Society of Eighteenth-Century Studies and chairs the Columbia University Seminar in Eighteenth-Century European Culture (2010–2016).

His work bridges academic and public spheres, engaging with institutions like the Smithsonian and international conferences. Collaborations include co-authoring reviews and mentoring students, such as Jessica Paiz in a theater analysis.