Michael Meyer

Michael Meyer is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh’s Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. He holds affiliations with the Asian Studies Center and the Frederick Honors College. A renowned nonfiction author and journalist, Meyer has authored four acclaimed books on China, Benjamin Franklin, and Victorian-era controversies. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary social issues, earning him prestigious awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship and Guggenheim Fellowship. He is also a recipient of the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2023) and a Berlin Prize fellow (2024).

• Education highlights: Peace Corps volunteer in China (1995), residencies at MacDowell and the American Academy in Berlin.

Research focuses on cultural transformation, globalization, and historical biography. His articles appear in New York Times, Smithsonian, and National Public Radio. Current projects include a biography of anti-Nazi journalist Carl von Ossietzky and a film adaptation of A Dirty, Filthy Book.

Award-winning educator, Meyer teaches nonfiction writing and reporting courses, emphasizing rigorous research. He advocates for accessible scholarship, blending academic rigor with public engagement.