BEA2026: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

10:15am PDT

How to Create and Grow a State Media Educators Association: A Collaborative Discussion

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Hosted by the Texas Association of Broadcast Educators (TABE), this interactive session invites educators and student media advisers to discuss the role and impact of state media educators associations, including TABE and the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association (OBEA). Come share successful strategies from your state and explore practical steps for launching and sustaining a state media educators association.
Moderators: Tony DeMars, Lamar University
Jared Johnson, Oklahoma State University
Panelist: Paul Hemenway, Lamar University

Moderators

Tony DeMars

Professor, Department of Communication and Media, Lamar University

BEA Past President. Previous service with BEA includes past convention program chair, elected positions in multiple interest divisions, leadership roles in the Festival of Media Arts, District 5 Board Representative, and Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Radio and Audio Media.

Jared Johnson

Director and Professor, Oklahoma State University

Speakers

Paul Hemenway

Lamar University

Monday April 20, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W303

BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Student Media Advisors, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

11:30am PDT

Revolutionizing Media Audience Analysis with A.I.: Tools, Trends, and Future Prospects

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

W303

As A.I. is integrated into the workflows of more media organizations, new applications for audience analysis/measurement are being developed. Panelists will discuss how A.I. is being used to optimize legacy audience measurement methods (e.g., focus groups), and new media tools (e.g., web analytics). Future developments for industry practitioners will also be discussed.

Moderator: Ronen Shay, Fordham University
Panelists: Adam Peruta, Syracuse University
Miao Guo, University of Connecticut
Todd Holmes, California State University- Northridge

Moderators

Ronen Shay

Fordham University

Speakers

Miao Guo

Associate Professor, University of Connecticut

Todd Holmes

California State University- Northridge

Adam Peruta

Associate Professor, Syracuse University

Monday April 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W303

Media Management & Content Strategies, Research/Theory | BEA, Research/Theory

12:45pm PDT

Defining the Documentary: Trauma and Documentary

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

W303

“Defining the Documentary” is an ongoing series exploring issues concerning the documentary. Following a brief introduction, we will break into groups each with its own moderator, and discuss this topic—allowing all attendees to participate in the ongoing conversation. This year’s topic is focused on trauma—within the documentary, among the filmmakers, and thinking how audiences react.
Moderator: Julia Largent Kuttler, McPherson College
Nick Geidner, The University of Tennessee
Shanna Gilkeson, Eastern Michigan University
Ralph Beliveau, University of Oklahoma
Tom Hallaq, Kansas State University

Moderators

Julia Largent Kuttler

Associate Professor of Communication, McPherson College

Associate Professor of Communication and Student Media Adviser (newspaper & podcast studio) at McPherson College in central Kansas. I study documentaries and fandom, both separately and in tandem. I like cats.

Speakers

Ralph Beliveau

Professor, University of Oklahoma

Dr. Beliveau is the Area Head for Creative Media Production and Professional Writing at the University of Oklahoma and affiliate faculty in both Film and Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies. He writes and teaches about media education and literacy, race, horror media, documentary... Read More →

Shanna Gilkeson

Graduate Assistant - Eastern Michigan University
First-Year Writing Program
University Writing Center

Supplemental Instruction Leader - Film Appreciaiton

E-TV Campus Cable Channel 18 - Student Executive Producer, Director of Promotions

Dr. Tom Hallaq

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Nick Geidner

Professor, The University of Tennessee

Monday April 20, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
W303

Documentary, Other | BEA, Other

2:00pm PDT

Documentary Division Meeting

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

W303

Every great documentary starts with a compelling perspective. Come talk with colleagues about the stories, scholarship, and creative work shaping the field.

Connect with colleagues, exchange new ideas, and help shape exciting initiatives for the coming year. These meetings are a welcoming space to build community, spark collaboration, and make your voice part of the conversation. Whether you’re a returning member or attending for the first time, this is a valuable opportunity to network with peers, share insights, and play an active role in your division’s future. We’d love to see you there.

Chair: Adam J. Kuban, Ball State University
Vice Chair/Paper Competition Chair: James E. Machado, MFA, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Moderators

Adam Kuban

Professor, Ball State University

Professor — reporting & writing, documentary storytelling, sports, science/sustainability, community engagement, (critical) service learning, project-based curriculum

Speakers

James E. Machado

Associate Professor, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

James Machado is an Associate Professor of Media Arts Production at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. After working for a series of corporate clients, including Ubisoft, Yahoo!, and Lehman Brothers, he embarked on what has been an 18-year career as a freelance editor and producer... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
W303

Documentary, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

Get help with the event