BEA2026: Full Schedule

10:15am PDT

“Beating the System”: Identifying and Countering Students’ AI Detection Evasion

Saturday April 18, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Today’s attempts by students to bypass generative AI detectors have created a global academic integrity crisis. This panel examines the growing “cat-and-mouse game” between students and AI detection systems, and the cunning methods they use to avoid being flagged. From detection to prevention, our panelists will offer practical solutions for educators that include redesigning assignments and embracing AI literacy. This session is a call to action to adapt, thrive, and restore authenticity in student work.

Moderator: Toni Perry, Liberty University
Panelists: Shaun Cashman, Liberty University
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

Shaun Cashman

Liberty University

Saturday April 18, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
W303

Interactive Media & Emerging Technologies, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | AI Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

12:00pm PDT

From Campus to Kickoff: Building the Valley Sports Network

Saturday April 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

W303

San Bernardino Valley College is launching the Valley Sports Network (VSN)—a student-run, faculty-guided initiative blending journalism and live sports media. This session explores how an academic program can create a professional-grade sports brand from the ground up. Attendees will see how VSN integrates traditional reporting with real-time sports coverage through:

Mini-Documentaries spotlighting SBVC’s football program and the student-athletes who power it.
Broadcast Segments for the college’s half-hour news show, bringing game highlights and in-depth features to a wider audience.
Social & App-Based Interstitials designed for TikTok, Instagram, and the KVCR app—short-form storytelling for the next generation of sports fans.
The power of faculty led projects powered by student staff.

Panelists will share production workflows, cross-disciplinary training methods, and strategies for mentoring students in a converged newsroom environment. Whether you teach broadcast journalism, manage a campus station, or want to bridge sports and storytelling, you’ll learn how to launch a sustainable, scalable sports network that prepares students for the rapidly evolving sports media industry.

Moderator: Kevin Lyons, San Bernardino Valley College
Panelists: Nicholas Ronald Van Luven, San Bernardino Valley College
Juan Francisco Brambila, San Bernardino Valley College

Moderators

Kevin Lyons

San Bernardino Valley College

Speakers

Nicholas Van Luven

San Bernardino Valley College

Juan Francisco Brambila

Intern III, San Bernardino Valley College

Saturday April 18, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
W303

Two-Year/Scholastic Institutions, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Student Spotlight, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

1:15pm PDT

History Division Meeting

Saturday April 18, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

W303

Understanding where media has been helps us imagine where it is going so come and be part of the conversation on preserving and interpreting media history.

Join the History Division meeting in Las Vegas to 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: George Henry Bovenizer, University of South Alabama
Vice Chair/Paper Competition Chair: Hailey Baldock, York University

Moderators

George Bovenizer

Assistant Professor, Broadcast Journalism, University of South Alabama

Hello. I'm an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of South Alabama. Before joining the faculty in 2021, I had an award-winning 27-year career in broadcast journalism. I worked at NBCUniversal in Los Angeles for the last 14 years of my professional... Read More →

Speakers

Hailey Baldock

PhD Student, History, York University

Saturday April 18, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
W303

History, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

3:00pm PDT

AI in the Faculty Toolkit: How Professors Teach, Research, and Advise

Saturday April 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

W303

Faculty are navigating the same AI revolution their students are — and many are experimenting with how these tools can support their own work as teachers, scholars, and mentors. This panel will explore the ways faculty are incorporating AI tools into their professional lives, both to streamline tasks and to reimagine what’s possible.

Panelists will share practical strategies for using AI in their daily work as faculty, from class planning to time management. Presentations will also discuss the opportunities to use AI to promote student engagement in learning. The session aims to provide a candid and balanced discussion about the opportunities and tensions AI introduces into higher education.
Moderator: Tom Nelson, Elon University
Panelists: Leighton C Peterson, Miami University
Jessalynn Strauss, Elon University
Shanetta Pendleton, Elon University

Moderators

Tom Nelson

Elon University

Speakers

Jessalynn Strauss

Associate Professor, Elon University

Leighton C Peterson

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Miami University

Shanetta Pendleton

Elon University

Saturday April 18, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
W303

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

4:15pm PDT

Media and Journalism Education in the Age of AI: Reshaping Boundaries and Future Practices

Saturday April 18, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

W303

The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping both the media ecosystem and journalism education with unprecedented force. While AI enhances content production and distribution, it also raises pressing debates around algorithmic ethics, information authenticity, and human–machine relations. This panel, featuring scholars from Communication University of China, City University of Hong Kong, and other international institutions, will explore how technological transformations redefine media practices and educational paradigms, and how global collaboration can address these shared challenges.

Moderator: Shuhua Zhou, City University of Hong Kong
Panelists: Weihua Wu, Communication University of China, Reproducing Intangible Cultural Heritage with Generative AI: A Critical Media Study of Z-Generation Youth in China
Seok Kang, University of Texas - San Antonio, Transformations and Directions of Future Newsrooms with Artificial Intelligence: Shaping, Redefining, and Challenging Journalistic Practices
YUEHONG YU, Communication University of China, What Should Content Creators Do in the Age of Artificial Intelligence? Core Competencies and Practical Pathways
Xiaodong Gui, Communication University of China
Jiabiao Xu, Shaanxi Normal University, Reconstructing Capabilities and Redefining Boundaries: Diverse Transformation Paths in Journalism Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Yuping Jin, Xinjiang University
CHANGCHUN XUAN, Xiamen University
Shiwen Wu, The school of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University

Moderators

Shuhua Zhou

City University of Hong Kong

Dr. Shuhua Zhou is a Chair Professor in the Department of Media and Communication at City University of Hong Kong. He previously served as the Leonard H. Goldenson Professor in Radio and Television Journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism and was a professor and associate dean... Read More →

Speakers

Seok Kang

Professor, University of Texas - San Antonio

Weihua Wu

Communication University of China

CHANGCHUN XUAN

Shiwen Wu

Xiaodong Gui

YUEHONG YU

Yuping Jin

Saturday April 18, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
W303

International, Research/Theory | BEA, Research/Theory | AI Spotlight, Research/Theory | New Faculty & Graduate Student Spotlight, Research/Theory

9:00am PDT

Gender & Sexuality Division - Top Research Presentation

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

W303

Moderator: Roger Allman , Grand Valley State University

Open Paper Competition
1st Place: Femi Emmanuel Folorunsho, Ball State University; Reimagining Heroism: Female Empowerment and Leadership in Marvel's Fantastic Four (2025)

2nd Place: Cheng-Nan Hou, I-Shou University; From Print to Platform: Queer Media, Cultural Activism, and Pedagogical Transformation in Taiwan’s Pink Economy

Patrick M. Johnson, Indiana University Northwest; Gay for Play: Homocapitalism in the Video Gaming Industry

Dustin Serrano Ardine, Regent University; Queer Theory and Identity

Moderators

Roger Allman

Grand Valley State University

Speakers

Dustin Serrano Ardine

Regent University

Dustin Ardine (Ph.D., Regent University, 2025) is an actor, writer, and scholar who attained his PhD in Communications and the Arts from Regent University, with a focus in Film and Media Studies. An Alpha Epsilon Rho (AERho) Honor Society member since 2024, his research interests include rhetorrection... Read More →

Patrick M. Johnson

Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, Department of Communication, Indiana University Northwest

Femi Folorunsho

Ball State University

A dynamic professional with expertise in digital communication, data science, and content marketing and management. My passion lies at the intersection of media, culture, and performance, where I leverage my diverse skills to drive impactful results. With a keen understanding of gender... Read More →

CHENG-NAN HOU

I-SHOU UNIVERSITY

Sunday April 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
W303

Gender & Sexuality, Research/Theory | BEA, Research/Theory

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

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

Drones and the Future of Aerial Technology: New Regulations in Times of Emerging Artificial Intelligence

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

W303

This panel explores how emerging aerial technologies are reshaping drone capabilities and prompting new regulatory frameworks. Panelists will examine ethical, legal, and operational challenges in aerial innovation, highlighting implications for journalism, public safety, and environmental monitoring. The session fosters dialogue on balancing innovation with responsible governance in a rapidly evolving field.
Moderator: Dale Blasingame, Texas State University
Panelists: Julian Rodriguez, University of Texas - Arlington
David Smith, West Virginia University

Moderators

Dale Blasingame

Associate professor of practice, Texas State University

Dale Blasingame is an associate professor of practice in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he received the 2017 Presidential Excellence Award for Teaching and 2023 Presidential Excellence Award for Service. Blasingame... Read More →

Speakers

Julian Rodriguez

Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Texas - Arlington

Julian Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and Coordinator of the UTA Amon G Carter Foundation Broadcast Production Studio. Julian’s teaching and research interests focus on broadcast journalism... Read More →

David Smith

Teaching Associate Professor, West Virginia University

Sunday April 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
W303

Interactive Media & Emerging Technologies, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | BEA, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | International, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | News, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs | Law & Policy, Teaching Techniques/Tips & Educational Programs

12:45pm PDT

Festival of Media Arts: Student Showcase Session - News & Audio Competition

Sunday April 19, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT

W303

Join us for this series of sessions showcasing the work of our Festival of Media Arts Student News & Audio winners.

Moderator: Heather Dunn, Arizona State University

Radio Reporting Category
Best of Festival: Boone Kilpatrick, Syracuse University; 40 Feet In the Air

Sound Engineering and Production
1st Place: Dylan Singletary, Liberty University; You Love You

1st Place: Seth Krispin, Regent University; Boy From Two Blocks Down

Moderators

Heather Dunn

Arizona State University

Speakers

Seth Krispin

Regent University

Boone Kilpatrick

Syracuse University

Dylan Singletary

Liberty University

Sunday April 19, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
W303

Radio & Audio Media, Festival of Media Arts | Student Spotlight, Festival of Media Arts | BEA, Festival of Media Arts | News, Festival of Media Arts

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

News Division Meeting

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

W303

In a rapidly changing information landscape, strong journalism matters more than ever.

Join the News Division meeting in Las Vegas to 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: Carey L. Higgins-Dobney, University of Kentucky
Vice Chair, Programming: Keren Henderson, Syracuse University
Vice Chair, Research: Chandra Clark, University of Alabama
Communications Chair: Tabitha Ann Bartoe, Regent University, WKEF/WRGT

Moderators

Carey L. Higgins-Dobney

Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky

Speakers

Chandra Clark

Associate Professor, University of Alabama

Multimedia journalism educator, electronic news/broadcast producer for life, and community journalism advocate. The transition from professional newsroom and freelance producer/pr practitioner includes helping the public and educators understand the role of broadcast journalism in... Read More →

Keren Henderson

Associate Professor, Syracuse University

Tabitha Bartoe

Regent University

Sunday April 19, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
W303

News, Business/District Meeting | BEA, Business/District Meeting

4:30pm PDT

Mas Que Palabras: Navigating the Future, Promise, and Pressure of Bilingual Media

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

W303

This panel examines the evolving landscape of Spanish-language media and its impact on higher education. Panelists will explore industry shifts, curriculum adaptation, financial pressures including federal funding cuts, and the growing scrutiny of bilingual offerings. They will discuss strategies to balance innovation, accountability, and community impact while preparing students and organizations to navigate rapidly changing industry, cultural, and financial realities.

Moderator: Teresa (Terry) Filipowicz, Pima Community College
Panelists: Glenda R. Balas, University of North Texas - Dallas
Jennifer Meadows, Chico State University
Raul Aguirre, REA Media Group

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

Jennifer Meadows

Professor, Chico State University

Jennifer Meadows is a Professor of Media Arts in the Media Arts, Design, and Technology Department at California State University, Chico. She is the 2025-2026 BEA President. Her research and teaching focuses on communication technology, emerging technologies, diversity and inclusion... Read More →

Glenda Balas

Professor, University of North Texas - Dallas

Dr. Glenda Balas is a Professor in Communication and Technology at the University of North Texas at Dallas. She was formerly Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UNT Dallas; Professor and Chair of the Communication and Journalism Department at the University of New Mexico; and Chair... Read More →

Raul Aguirre

REA Media Group

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
W303

Multicultural Studies, Other | BEA, Other

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

W303

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

12:00pm PDT

1:15pm PDT

3:00pm PDT

4:15pm PDT

9:00am PDT

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:15pm PDT

4:30pm PDT

10:15am PDT

11:30am PDT

12:45pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

Get help with the event