BEA2025

In an era where sports broadcasting plays a pivotal role in the media, this panel explores the intersection of college athletics and television and radio production. We will present specific experiential learning opportunities tied to student media and course curriculum with a deeper look at partnership models. We discuss areas of specialty including television and radio broadcasting, public relations, branding and promotions. Through our examples and experiences we examine how hands-on learning bridges the gap between the classroom and the fast-paced demands of real-world television and radio production.

Moderator: James Lohrey, Shippensburg University
Panelists: Elizabeth Oppe, West Virginia University; Joe Brackman, University of Cincinnati; Chris Shofner, Bethel University; Geoffrey Thompson, University of Florida

Are your students begging to do more video game content? Is your media outlet being asked to stream esports for your college/university, write articles, create graphics, or make overlays? This panel will explore ways you and your students can explore different types of content creation. We will also share how our organizations are streaming gaming content. Most of us started with OBS and a dream. Learn how to add more depth to your station's content and do this on a budget.
Moderator: Rich Green, Indiana State University
Panelists: Michael Tucker, University of West Georgia

In this expanded session, Mike Reilley of Journalist's Toolbox will show you Google Earth Studio, Google Earth and Earth Pro to create flyover videos, timelapses and mine historical satellite imagery for stories. He'll also show you some AI tools for debunking deepfake images and videos that you can take to your classrooms and newsrooms right away. We’ll break down doctored video and audio with WatchFramebyFrame and Deepfake-o-meter. We’ll also look at the innovative Rolliapp.com to track disinformation spreaders on social channels. Prior to the training, set up a free Rolliapp.com “press pass” account (use the JOURNOAI code). Participants should bring a laptop, and they’ll get handouts with links to all of the tools and examples of projects that use them. Trainer: Mike Reilley, UIC senior lecturer and founder of JournalistsToolbox.ai. Twitter: @itsmikereilley | @journtoolbox | Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mikereilley.bsky.social

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, intelligent communication is profoundly reshaping the landscape of the media industry. Media schools worldwide are adapting to technological advancements while addressing the emerging challenges. This panel aims to explore the transformation and innovation of media education in the era of intelligent communication, examining China's experiences in higher education alongside global perspectives. Scholars and professors from institutions such as the Communication University of China, the Nankai University and the City University of Hong Kong will join international peers to share research findings and practical experiences. The forum aims to inspire new ideas and insights for the development of media education, fostering deeper exchanges and collaboration between Chinese and international scholars.
Moderators: Shuhua Zhou, City University of Hong Kong & Xingang Chen, Communication University of China
Panelists: Weihua Wu, Communication University of China
Peng Chen, Nankai University
Xi Zhuang, Nanjing Normal University
Xiaoan Guo, Chongqing University
Xiaocheng Liu, Lanzhou University
Mingxian Fan, Central South University
Hangyu Cao, Communication University of China
Yifan Huo, Communication University of China
Zhongrui Chen, Communication University of China
Yiying Li, Communication University of China

BEA & OAB brought a group of Faculty Fellows to television and radio stations in Cincinnati this summer to see the facilities and talk with news directors, sales and marketing staff about the newest technology, what they're looking for in future employees and what we should be teaching our students in order to get these jobs. Hear what was learned, how it's being applied and how to get involved in future fellowship programs!
Moderator: Sara Magee, Loyola University Maryland
Panelists: David Shabazz, Kentucky State University; Ashton Marra, West Virginia University; Jayne Cubbage, Bowie State University

2025 Research Symposium Chairs:
Graham Dixon, Ohio State University
Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida

As the world suffers from an information overload or infoxication, understanding what the public knows about science, technology, and risk becomes more important. Science communication is often complicated and overwhelming when the public tries to research a topic or an issue to learn and form opinions. With the growth of AI, misinformation/disinformation, it is more important to understand how to better communicate science to the public across a variety of platforms.

Examining Consumers’ Perceptions of the Term “Natural” on Food Labels
Michel M. Haigh, Texas State University
Lori Costello, University of South Dakota
Arienne Ferchaud, Florida State University

AI's new threat to science communication: A case study of Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Heather Walters, Missouri State University

Does Communication Dry Up When Drought is Declared: Conversations with Stakeholders about Water Scarcity
Cory L. Armstrong, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sharon Baldinelli, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Puppets, Vaccines, and Public Health - Harnessing Theater to Combat Misinformation in Albania
Elira Canga, Arizona State University
Cody Hays, Arizona State University

Do numbers add up to a better forecast? Measuring comprehension of probabilistic hurricane forecasts
Robert Eicher, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Tim Brown, University of Central Florida

Improvements in Meteorological Communication: How to Communicate Scientific Information During Severe Weather
Tabitha Ann Bartoe, Regent University

Exploring Factors of Trust in Science and the Scientists in the COVID-19 Era: A Theoretical Approach
Ivanka Pjesivac, University of Georgia
Mattea Noelle Brown, University of Georgia

Memorable media messages of mental illness and implications for policy support: Examining the influences of racial ingroup/outgroup recall
Julius Matthew Riles, University of Missouri
Abigail Olajire, University of Missouri
Esther Ehino Akheituame, University of Missouri
Guadalupe Madrigal, University of California Santa Barabara
Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, University of Missouri

Production companies need a truck load of gear to justify big-budget productions, so most educators still worry about the stigma of over-emphasizing smart phone production. But with 4k video, studio-quality audio, stabilization, auto exposure, cinematic features and manual settings, the smart phone renaissance is a logical reason to imagine Leonardo DaVinci with an iPhone in his back pocket. This panel explores some of the many ways iPhones and other smart phones can be utilized for specialized production.

iPhone Multi-Cam Superpowers: Angles Matter: Kerry Sanders spent decades telling stories around the world as an NBC correspondent with crews using tape formats including ¾” Umatic, BetaCam, M2 and DVC Pro among others. But now Sanders is on location with iPhone multi-cam setups that can connect in near-real time with editor/directors who can work from the other side of the world. He reports that this new iPhone superpower continues to remove storytelling barriers.

Big Screen, Little Camera: The iPhone in Feature Filmmaking: Barry Janes has been teaching production at Rider University for almost 50 years. Now he takes Rider students to Los Angeles every spring for front-row lessons on Hollywood trends. It’s probably no surprise that smart phones add a new twist to the story board, and you might be surprised at all of the roles the iPhone can play.

Precarious, Quick, Dusty and Smart: Greg Luft from Colorado State University decided to produce a documentary about agriculture, climbing on dangerous equipment and capturing images from underneath fast-moving tractors. He relied on his senior-citizen friendly iPhone for smart one-handed decisions about exposure, focal length, focus and stabilization while using his second hand to hang on for dear life. At every turn it was comforting to know he had both Apple Care and a replacement plan with his service provider.

This panel will focus on sharing successful exercises, activities, and micro projects for teaching documentary storytelling to emerging mediamakers. Together we'll explore...

• why better collaboration leads to better storycrafting
• simplifying storytelling with a 'one story / one voice' approach
• documentary skill building through structured pre-production
• visual and audio techniques that help students (and faculty) 'show' rather than tell
• teaching the visual language of film to beginners

Walk away with actionable ideas to inspire and develop the next generation of documentary storytellers.
Moderator: Aubrie Canfield, Actuality Abroad
Panelists: Sangsun Choi, Kennesaw State University
Rex Allan Jones, Mississippi State University
Rowena Pedrena, University of Arkansas
Bradley L. Weaver, Westminster College, Pennsylvania
Shari Okeke, Toronto Metropolitan University

Election shows are a great opportunity for students to engage in our country’s democracy. As faculty/advisors, it is important that we guide students in the production of local, regional and national stories that are unbiased and relevant. This panel will discuss student media coverage of the 2024 elections, both on election night and leading up to November 5th. Panelists will discuss what went well, what didn’t and lessons/strategies to take into the NEXT election cycle.
Moderator: Stephanie L. Anderson, University of South Florida
Panelists:
Robin Cecala, Professor, Point Park University, U-View Television Advisor 
Ken Fischer, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Barbara Merckx, Instructor & News Director for OU Nightly at the University of Oklahoma
Derek Wood, Professional Instructor of Journalism & Digital Media at Ashland University, Faculty Advisor and General Manager of 88.9 WRDL

Stephanie Anderson (moderator), Assistant Professor, University of South Florida

Diversity in media representation matters. Many say we’ve made great strides in the depiction of gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity, and body type in today’s media, but stereotypes still abound, and the straight, white, thin, cisgender male still seems practically ubiquitous. What exactly does the future hold? This panel seeks to promote discussion of prevalent and controversial issues related to depiction of the “Other” in media, and explores how we as educators can better teach them.
Moderator: Roger Allman, Grand Valley State University
Panelists: Jennifer Rachel Billinson, Nazareth University; Victor D. Evans, Seattle University; Alexandra M. Vilela, James Madison University

Preparing for ACEJMC (re)accreditation in the next few years? Learn about new policies, explore three of the standards most often found noncompliant——Assessment of Learning Outcomes, Diversity and Inclusiveness, and Curriculum and Instruction——and discover solutions from ACEJMC reps and your academic peers. PLUS: Learn how volunteers are selected for site teams!
Moderator: Jessica Pucci, Arizona State University
Panelists: Michel M. Haigh, Texas State University
Patricia Thompson, ACEJMC

In this writing workshop, Leslie Kreiner Wilson and Andrea Baltazar will act as co-hosts. The session will begin with a slide deck providing examples of exceptional twists from act one into act two in popular movies. Then we will transform into a writing workshop where attendees can read their own turning point scenes out loud and get feedback from peers and colleagues in the room.

Co-Hosts: Leslie Kreiner Wilson, Director, MFA Program in Writing for Screen & Television, Pepperdine University
Vice Chair, Writing Division
Chair, Faculty Screenwriting Competition

Andrea Baltazar, Director, Film Studies Program, Weber State University
Chair, Student Screenwriting Competition

Debut Paper Competition
1^st Place Debut Paper: ‘So Many Uncomfortable Spaces’: A Qualitative Study On How BIPOC Journalists Navigate Identity and Expectations In American Broadcast Newsrooms; Kristina Vera-Phillips, Arizona State
2^nd Place Debut Paper: Role of Social Media in Indian Women’s decision to move to the US; Prerna Sandilya, San Francisco State University
Open Paper Competition
1^st Place Open Paper: Reimagining Futures and Challenging Norms: A Critical Analysis of Afrofuturism, Gender Dynamics, and Aesthetic Representation in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'; Femi Emmanuel Folorunsho, Ball State University
2^nd Place Open Paper: Walt Disney World’s New Little Mermaid with Race Based and Inverse Spiral of Silence Effects; Marisa Joann Hamilton, Regent University; Steve D. Perry, Regent University; Andrea Arterbery, Southern Methodist University; Nicole R. Sheriff, Regent University
3rd Place Open Paper: From Screen to Street: A Phenomenological Analysis of Anti-Hero Verbal and Nonverbal Cues in Everyday Interactions; Amanda Czuprynski, Regent University

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world. Obtaining this coveted award is extremely competitive and the process of approval is rigorous and opaque. Finalists are granted their award without much explanation of what got them across the finish line and unsuccessful applicants are left to grasp at straws as to where they went wrong. This panel seeks to demystify the process of applying for a Fulbright grant and examine the various opportunities. The panelists will discuss their successes and failures in navigating the Fulbright application process and their international appointments.

Moderator: James E. Machado, MFA, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Panelists: Katerina Spasovska, Western Carolina University
Madeleine Liseblad, California State University, Long Beach
Andrew Sharma, Salisbury University
Richard Vogel, retired from Culver Stockton College