Larry Meiller
Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
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Office: 214 Hiram Smith Hall Phone: 608.262.0122 Email: meiller@wisc.edu |
| Background | Teaching | Education |
Background
I’m Larry Meiller, an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Life Science Communication. I have worked in the department for 39 years devoting time to teaching, advising, and outreach. I retired a year or so ago but then was rehired to continue my work in the department.
I host multiple radio call-in shows, teach radio broadcasting, and do research with graduate students on things like broadcasting, the internet, community development communication and international development.
In addition to the work I’ve done at the UW, I’ve done a good deal of consulting in third-world countries on communications issues. I have worked in places like Pakistan , Nicaragua , Honduras , Jamaica , Trinidad , Grenada , St Lucia , St Kitts-Nevis, Antigua, Montserratt, St Vincent and Dominica. I taught at the University of the West Indies for a year and have visited and consulted in the Caribbean for several years.
I enjoy advising graduate students and helping them design research projects that will help them achieve their career goals.
Some of my graduate students’ research involved the readability of nutrition food lable; the communication process when diverse groups meet to reconcile differences; the Extension/Research communications process in Bangladesh; and on-line participation in a professional discussion list - pretty eclectic, but interesting and fun.
My outreach work includes hosting a call-in radio talk show that airs five days a week on over (19) stations of Wisconsin Public Radio. It is primarily an advice program. I invite university and other experts in to discuss a broad range of topics. We cover the environment, health, finances, agriculture and many other topics. I also invite authors on the program - everyone from best selling authors like John Grisham to regional authors who produce excellent work.
In addition, I co-host another radio show that airs across the U.S. It’s called “Calling All
Pets” and it deals with behavior problems owners have with their pets. It’s fun to do and it airs on about l00 radio stations across the nation.
Aside from my radio shows, I serve on many university committees. I serve as Chair of Undergraduate Studies for our department, (co-)chair the college’s International Committee and sit on the (Friends) board of the UW’s tudent radio station, WSUM. In addition, I give talks to a variety of groups every year about public radio, Trinidad and our international student exchange programs. I maintain close ties with the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad , and (have served) on several of UWI’s graduate and undergraduate student committees.
As for hobbies, I am a poor, but dedicated golfer nd enjoy fishing, particularly for muskies. I am the President of the International Musky Association. I’m also a big Bicycling fan and have made bike trips of up to 500 miles. Many early mornings (except during winter!) you can find me biking around Lake Monona–a distance of about ll miles. It’s a great way to begin the day!