Patrick Merle

Patrick Merle is an Associate Professor and Director of the School of Communication at Florida State University (2020-present). A French native with academic credentials from France, Ireland, and the U.S., he previously served as Director of the Integrated Marketing Communication program and maintains affiliations with FSU's Institute for Successful Longevity.

• Education: Ph.D. in Mass Communication (Texas Tech, 2013), Post-master's in Journalism (Institut Francais de Presse, 1998), M.A. in History (St Patrick's College, Ireland, 1997), B.A. in History (Universite Pierre Mendes France, 1996)

His research focuses on crisis/risk communication, science communication, and international media, including projects on: environmental risk communication (extreme tropical weather, prescribed fires, global patterns), bike safety messaging, physical therapy communication protocols, and scienceploitation (misleading scientific claims in collaboration with Arizona State University and German researchers).

He serves on editorial boards for the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine and Frontiers: The International Journal of Study Abroad, and contributes to the Behavioral Insights Research Center at the Institute for Public Relations.

Teaching: Offers courses in Communication Research Methods, Crisis Communication, PR Strategies, PR Campaigns, International PR, and Political Communication. Prior experience as an international reporter informs his practical approach to media education.

Professional Leadership: Chair of AEJMC Public Relations Division's 2024-2025 Virtual Conference. Created a study abroad program in Florence, Italy, producing the magazine ItaliaNoles and providing pro-bono communication services to Italian clients.