Patrick F. Merle, Associate Professor (Ph.D. Texas Tech University, 2013) is a French native, formerly an international reporter for global news organizations.
He currently works as Director of the School of Communication (2020-present) after having been Director of the Integrated Marketing Communication program. He is also an affiliated faculty with FSU's Institute for Successful Longevity.
In 2024-2025, he serves on the leadership team of the AEJMC Public Relations Division as Chair of the Virtual Conference.
Patrick Merle is part of the Executive Editorial Committee for the Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine and is an Assistant Editor for Frontiers: The International Journal of Study Abroad.
He is also a current member of the Behavioral Insights Research Center of the Institute for Public Relations and serves on the Advisory Committee for the International Public Relations Research Conference.
In 2017, he created a study abroad communication program in Florence, Italy, focusing on (a) the production of the magazine ItaliaNoles; and (b) pro-bono help with communication issues for a local Italian client.
Current research projects:
1-Crisis/Risk Communication: Studies to evaluate relationships between risk perceptions and environmental issues.
Recipient of a SEED Grant (2024-2026) to understand how to best communicate about risks of extreme tropical weather. Interdisciplinary project with FSU Geography.
-Focus on the US with extreme tropical weather, prescribed fires.
-Focus on global patterns such as South Asia
-Focus on risk of transmittable diseases
Goal: manuscripts and federal funding
2-Bike safety messaging: a series of studies to understand what type of communication strategies and messages must be produced so people adopt a safer behavior towards cyclists.
Goal: manuscripts and federal grants 2024-2027
3-Physical therapy communication: a series of studies pertaining to physical therapy recovery protocols.
Goal: NIH grant current under review + manuscripts
4-Scienceploitation/Scientificness: multiple studies examining misleading scientific claims. Collaboration with Arizona State University and a German research group.
Goal: manuscript and a federal grant 2024-2027
Prospective and current students can email at pmerle@fsu.edu to join these projects.
Courses taught:
Communication Research Methods
Crisis Communication
PR Strategies
PR Campaign
International PR
Political Communication
Education
- Ph.D., Mass Communication, 2013, Texas Tech University
- Post-master's degree, 1998, Journalism and Mass Communication, Institut Francais de Presse, Paris, France
- M.A. History, 1997, St Patrick's College, Ireland
- B.A., History, 1996, Universite Pierre Mendes France, France
Research Interests
Scientific Public Relations; Crisis and Risk Communication; International Media; Experimental research; Pedagogical reflections
Teaching Interests
Public Relations, Crisis Communication, Research Methods.