Broadcast Education Association: Fostering Excellence in Media Education and Practice

The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) stands as a prominent international academic organization dedicated to advancing the fields of multimedia research and teaching. Originating and primarily operating within the United States, the BEA is committed to preparing college students for successful careers in telecommunications and electronic mass media, with a particular focus on radio and television.

A Diverse and Growing Membership

The BEA's strength lies in its diverse membership base, which includes associate, institutional, individual, and student members.

Associate members encompass a wide range of organizations, including radio and television stations, academic research institutions, telephone and cable companies, publishers, high schools, public relations firms, media manufacturers, and law firms.
Institutional members are colleges and universities that offer electronic media programs, demonstrating the BEA's commitment to supporting academic institutions.
Individual members consist of professors and educators who are passionate about multimedia pursuits, fostering a community of knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Historical Evolution and Purpose

The BEA has undergone several transformations throughout its history, reflecting the dynamic nature of the broadcasting industry. Established in 1955 as the Association for Professional Broadcast Education, the organization initially aimed to unite broadcasters and educators through an affiliation with the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). This collaboration sought to promote excellence in both career and liberal arts education within the field of broadcasting.

In 1973, the organization adopted the name Broadcast Education Association, solidifying its focus on preparing students for careers in radio and television. However, as technology advanced and the media landscape evolved, the BEA's scope expanded to encompass a diverse range of interests in electronic and digital media.

Leadership and Governance

The BEA is guided by a dedicated leadership team and a well-defined governance structure. Sydney W. Head, of the University of Miami, served as the first president of BEA from 1955 to 1957. Heather Birks held the position of executive director of BEA as of 2018.

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The BEA's bylaws, revised in 2016, outline the governance structure, which includes a board of directors consisting of at least 14 but no more than 17 members, a five-member executive committee of the board, and an executive director. The board members are responsible for managing the BEA's affairs and presenting a report to the association at the annual convention. The BEA holds a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and files a Form 990 annually with the Internal Revenue Service.

Publications: Disseminating Knowledge and Research

The BEA is committed to advancing knowledge and research in the field of electronic media through its scholarly publications.

The Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media is a quarterly publication that features cutting-edge research and analysis on various aspects of the broadcast and electronic media industries.
The Journal of Radio & Audio Media (formerly the Journal of Radio Studies) is a semi-annual publication that focuses on the latest developments and trends in radio and audio media.
The Journal of Media Education is an editor-reviewed pedagogical journal published electronically four times each year.

BEA Annual Convention

Every April in Las Vegas, the BEA holds an annual convention, #BEAvegas, bringing together more than 1,000 professors, researchers, and media students from 300-plus colleges and universities, making it the NAB Show’s largest academic partner. The convention includes presentation of scholarly research in various aspects of media, panels, and competitions for faculty and student creative work. A research symposium and the BEA Festival of Media Arts are held in conjunction with the annual BEA convention. The festival is a creative competition for faculty and students with categories including audio, documentary, interactive multimedia, video, scriptwriting, and news.

The BEA convention offers a variety of sessions on media pedagogy, collaborative networking events, hands-on technology workshops, research and creative scholarship and the Festival of Media Arts. BEA’s panels echo the missions of our 19 interest divisions. Participating as a moderator, speaker or panelist provides great experience and adds to your professional skills as a scholar, industry insider, leader and expert. Sharing your knowledge and insight helps make BEA a valuable learning destination. Present your research (either completed or Research-in-Progress) to fellow scholars attending #BEAvegas , or to industry professionals attending the NAB Show.

Services and Activities: Supporting Media Education and Professionals

The BEA offers a wide range of services and activities to support media educators, students, and professionals.

Annual Convention: The BEA's annual convention in Las Vegas provides a platform for educators, researchers, and students to network, share research, and learn about the latest trends in the industry.
Creative Competitions: The BEA Festival of Media Arts is a prestigious competition that recognizes and celebrates outstanding creative work by faculty and students in various media categories.
Research Grants and Awards: The BEA provides research grants and awards to support scholarly inquiry and innovation in the field of electronic media.
Web-Based Programs: The BEA offers a variety of web-based programs to provide members with access to resources, training, and networking opportunities.
Regional District Activities: The BEA's regional district activities provide opportunities for members to connect and collaborate on a local level.

BEA Ignite

Ready to set BEA's convention in Las Vegas on fire with your innovative teaching ideas? BEA Ignite is back! Share your best classroom project or teaching exercise in a fast-paced Ignite format-5 minutes, 20 slides. The top 10 ideas will be presented live at a BEA convention session.

Alpha Epsilon Rho (AERho) Honor Society for Media

Don't miss your deadline to apply for the Alpha Epsilon Rho (AERho) Honor Society for Media for students. Inducted members of AERho enjoy Lifetime Membership with ONE fee and benefit from a network of creative and superior scholars.

Scholarships

Every year, the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) offers a variety of scholarships that award up to $4,000 to multiple students attending two- and four-year BEA institutions to pursue a career in any type of electronic media.

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