History

At its inception in 1908, the primary mission of the department was to disseminate research findings of the College to the people of Wisconsin. Other Land Grant Colleges later founded similar outreach units; but unlike most of its counterparts, this department soon added major teaching and research programs.

The Department of Agricultural Journalism established an international reputation with pioneering work in radio broadcasting and film to convey information to the public. Innovative research and application efforts in international development beginning in the 1950s greatly strengthened the department’s reputation. Recently, the department has further raised its international profile by joining with the U.S. Peace Corps in designing and implementing the Masters International Program. This program combines study for the MS degree with a Peace Corps assignment.

In the mid-1950s, together with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the department began offering one of the first doctorates in the emergent field of mass communication and it remains one of the top two or three of many such programs today. Most Ph.D. graduates pursue careers in research and teaching. Indeed, departmental alumni form an impressive roster of the best and brightest of communication faculty in the U.S. and abroad concerned with science, technology, agriculture, natural resources and development.

The department’s request to change its name to Life Sciences Communication (LSC) was approved by the UW-Madison in February 2000. The new department name now reflects the full range of the department’s mission and activities. LSC students are often double majors who combine expertise in a life sciences discipline with communication skills. Faculty members are pursuing research on public opinion of controversial scientific and technological issues, and instructional programs have been expanded to include an understanding of related industries.

Relationships with agricultural stakeholders have remained strong throughout this expansion. The student chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association is advised in LSC, and continued to win awards every year in the national competition. Given the connection with rural, agricultural, natural resources-related, and environmental media issues, LSC has developed a focus in Native American communication. LSC faculty members are involved in research studies or outreach activities that directly involve native communities. The partnership with UW-Extension was cemented in 2007 by the hire of a faculty member dedicated to environmental communications in the state.

The student radio station, WSUM, formally affiliated with the department in 2006. Faculty members also continue to play major roles in public outreach through programs on Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television and other channels. Reciprocally, media contribute directly to LSC’s academic programs through senior lecturers with high profile professional positions in the industry.