BEA2026: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

9:00am PDT

Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World: The Impact of AI on Creators and Consumers of News and Entertainment -- Session 1: AI, Education, and Human Meaning-Making

Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

W310

Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World: The Impact of AI on Creators and Consumers of News and Entertainment -- Session 1: AI, Education, and Human Meaning-Making

Artificial intelligence is changing the way the world interacts with machines and people, as well as how media organizations operate. As society grapples with the use of AI, those in the field of mass communication must consider the how the opportunities AI offers come with ethical ramifications. Professional organizations (RTDNA, PRSA, AAF, NAB) have adopted professional codes and guidelines for using AI in industry.

The 2026 BEA Research Symposium will examine AI research in mass communication. As AI is implemented, it is important to remember the human connection those working in the media industry bring to communicating information. Media professionals transmit information that is influenced by their broader understanding, shared background, and empathy. How can the media industry ethically adopt a technology that is disrupting how people seek, consume, and produce information?

Moderator: Seungahn Nah, University of Florida

Almost Human, Not Quite: Exploring Human Responses to Physical AI
Michael Lee, Ball State University & Hyungseok Jang, Ball State University

‘T.O.M.I.! Pull up drone footage’: Children’s responses to AI-integrated storytelling in tackling climate literacy in an African cartoon
Twange Kasoma, Appalachian State University

Discourse on an AI Society in Media Education: Netnographic Analyses of Media Educator Conversations on AI “Best Practices”
Adam C. Earnheardt, Youngstown State University & Mary Beth Earnheardt, Youngstown State University

Moderators

Seungahn Nah

University of Florida

Seungahn Nah, Ph.D. is a Professor of Journalism at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, where he holds the inaugural Dianne Snedaker Chair in Media Trust and serves as Research Director of the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology, part of... Read More →

Speakers

Adam C. Earnheardt

Professor & General Education Coordinator, Youngstown State University

Dr. Adam C. Earnheardt is professor of communication in the Department of Communication and General Education Director at Youngstown State University. He has authored or co-authored five books, including The ESPN Effect: Examinations of the Worldwide Leader in Sports (co-edited with... Read More →

Michael Lee

Ball State University

Hyungseok Jang

Ball State University

Mary Beth Earnheardt

Youngstown State University

Twange Kasoma

Appalachian State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W310

2026 Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World, Paper Competition | BEA, Paper Competition | AI Spotlight, Paper Competition

10:15am PDT

Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World: The Impact of AI on Creators and Consumers of News and Entertainment -- Session 2: AI, Trust, and Social Consequences

Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

W310

Moderator: Seungahn Nah, University of Florida

Synthetic Realities in Political Deepfake News: Exploring AI-Generated Disinformation Consumption
Miao Guo, University of Connecticut; Carolyn A. Lin, University of Connecticut & Brett Andrew Williams, University of Connecticut

Trusting the Machine: The Authenticity Model for Trust Building in Journalism During the Rise of Artificial Intelligence
Sarah Fisher, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Talking About AI: Family Communication Patterns and AI Attitude Agreement
Huma Rasheed, University of Pennsylvania; Robert Lance Holbert, University of Pennsylvania & Brandon Harrison & University of Pennsylvania

Moderators

Seungahn Nah

University of Florida

Speakers

Miao Guo

Associate Professor, University of Connecticut

Sarah Fisher

Huma Rasheed

University of Pennsylvania

Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W310

2026 Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World, Paper Competition | BEA, Paper Competition | AI Spotlight, Paper Competition

10:15am PDT

Crafting AI-Resistant Assignments: Strategies for Digital Media Curriculum

Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

W303

This panel discussion presents innovative pedagogical strategies to prevent AI-based plagiarism. As AI models become more sophisticated, educators are challenged to craft assignments that guarantee authentic student work. Each panelist will share tested course designs that prioritize original thought and personal voice, as well as strategies that are structured to minimize generative AI-involvement. Join us for a collaborative conversation on building a culture of academic integrity and student authenticity in our digital media programs.

Moderator: Toni Perry, Liberty University
Panelists: Shaun Cashman, Liberty University
Nadine El Sayed, American University in Cairo
Roger Rome, Liberty University

Moderators

Toni E. Perry

Instructor & Doctoral Candidate, Liberty University

An award-winning professor with twelve years of experience teaching, coaching, and mentoring in higher education. An accomplished digital media/ marketing communications/events professional with over 25 years of experience in communications, broadcast media, production, public relations... Read More →

Speakers

Roger Rome

Assoc. Professor, Liberty University

Nadine El Sayed

Associate professor of practice, The American University in Cairo

Nadine El Sayed is an associate professor of practice at the Journalism and Mass Communication Department. Prior to joining AUC, El Sayed was the senior editor leading the regional custom media publications at Springer Nature, the biggest scientific publisher in the world, and an adjunct faculty... Read More →

Shaun Cashman

Liberty University

Sunday April 19, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W303

Media Management & Content Strategies, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | AI Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

11:30am PDT

Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World: The Impact of AI on Creators and Consumers of News and Entertainment -- Session 3: AI, Power, and Cultural Transformation

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W310

Moderator: Seungahn Nah, University of Florida

Reshaping News Production Time: Temporal Experiences and Professional Practices of Journalists in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Jing Fang, Communication University of China

The Role of AI and Automation in Transforming Journalistic Labor, Economic Structures, and Inequality in the News Media Environment
Azade Asadi Damavandi, Bowling Green State University

Simulated Homelands: AI-Generated Video as Exilic Resistance in Eritrean Diaspora Media
Yonatan Tewelde, Penn State Harrisburg

Moderators

Seungahn Nah

University of Florida

Speakers

Azade Asadi Damavandi

Bowling Green State University

Yonatan Tewelde

Assistant Professor, Penn State Harrisburg

JING FANG

Communication University of China

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W310

2026 Research Symposium: Communicating in an AI Driven World, Paper Competition | BEA, Paper Competition | AI Spotlight, Paper Competition

11:30am PDT

DEI Under Scrutiny: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in an AI Society

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W304

As artificial intelligence reshapes media industries and higher education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives face increasing political and legal challenges. This panel examines how DEI commitments are being tested across academia and industry, with attention to curriculum design, hiring practices, and evolving uses of AI. Panelists will share strategies for navigating contested definitions of diversity while preparing for a future where equity and technology intersect.
Moderator: Ryoya Terao, New York City College of Technology
Panelists: John J. Gallagher, Borough of Manhattan Community College
Kris Vera-Phillips, Southern Methodist University
Brittney Nix-Crawford, University of North Carolina Charlotte

Moderators

Ryoya Terao

Professor, New York City College of Technology

I am a documentary filmmaker and professor in the Entertainment Technology program at New York City College of Technology (CUNY) in Brooklyn. My films focus on human stories, historical memory, and social issues, and have been broadcast on NHK and PBS. I am currently developing a... Read More →

Speakers

John J. Gallagher

Director, Borough of Manhattan Community College

Brittney Nix-Crawford

Lecturer Professor of Communication Studies and Journalism, University of North Carolina Charlotte

Kris Vera-Phillips

Southern Methodist University

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W304

Multicultural Studies, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | AI Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

2:00pm PDT

The 2026 State of the Broadcast News Industry

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

W303

As published on the RTDNA website, “The RTDNA/Newhouse School at Syracuse University Newsroom Survey is the only comprehensive annual research of radio and television newsrooms.” This session, led by the survey’s researchers, will present the latest findings, providing an overview of the current state of local radio and television news. This includes information on staff demographics, worker safety, management hiring and retention decisions, and use of new technologies including AI.
Moderator: Keren Henderson, Syracuse University
Panelists: Timothy Mirabito, Syracuse University

Moderators

Keren Henderson

Associate Professor, Syracuse University

Speakers

Timothy Mirabito

Syracuse University

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W303

News, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | AI Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

3:15pm PDT

From AI Speculation to AI Practice: Real Decisions, Courses, and Policies

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT

W310

As AI transforms media industries and education, institutions are moving beyond speculation into concrete action. This panel highlights official courses, minors, policies, and institutional initiatives already shaping AI literacy. With a focus on media literacy, panelists will share how colleges and organizations are formally addressing generative AI to prepare students for critical engagement with emerging technologies.
Moderator: Teresa (Terry) Filipowicz, Pima Community College
Panelists: Tom Hallaq, Kansas State University
Milton A Santiago, Syracuse University
Chris Strobel, Northern Kentucky University

Moderators

Terry Filipowicz

Pima Community College

Teresa (Terry) Filipowicz has been a Teamwork and Leadership in Small Groups Online Course Subject Matter Expert, Computer Information Systems Artificial Intelligence Course Development Team Member, Artificial Intelligence Governance Council Member and part of the Business and Industry... Read More →

Speakers

Chris Strobel

Professor, Electronic Media and Broadcasting, Northern Kentucky University

Father and husband. Educator. Filmmaker. Storyteller. Slow grader.

Dr. Tom Hallaq

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Milton Santiago

Assistant Professor, Syracuse University

Milton Santiago is currently an Assistant Professor in the Visual Communications department at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. With well over 15 years of experience as a content creator and director of photography on feature films, documentaries, corporate/industrial... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
W310

Curriculum Assessment & Administration, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | AI Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

4:30pm PDT

The Future of Local Television, AI, Ownership, and the New Broadcast Frontier

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT

W308

Local television is at a crossroads.
We will look at AI already being used in newsrooms and how these tools could reshape both editorial workflows and ethical standards. We will discuss the operational, technical and editorial makeup of consolidated newsrooms, the rapid growth of streaming newscasts and other local content, and how it all affects the future job market.
We'll also address ownership changes and how these shifts change the way local television has been defined over the years.

Moderator: Suzy Smith, Ball State University
Panelists: Terry J. Heifetz, Ball State University
Michael Brouder, Ball State University
Stephen Crews, Gray Television

Moderators

Suzy Smith

Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Media, Ball State University

Speakers

Stephen Crews

Talent Acquisition Specialist, Gray Television

I have spent over 25 years covering news across the Wiregrass. I spent over a decade working in newspapers and radio, covering news and sports. The experience I gained in a small community is invaluable. I learned how to develop my own film and print my own pictures before transitioning... Read More →

Michael Brouder

Ball State University

Terry Heifetz

Ball State University

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
W308

News, Industry Issues & Updates | BEA, Industry Issues & Updates | Law & Policy, Industry Issues & Updates | AI Spotlight, Industry Issues & Updates

9:00am PDT

10:15am PDT

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

11:30am PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:15pm PDT

4:30pm PDT

Get help with the event