SMEA Summer Conference 2026 
Preparing Students for the Sports Media Industry That Exists Now.

The conference will be built around a central question: What are we preparing sports media students for now? That question gives the event its shape. It reflects the wider shift taking place across sports media, where traditional journalism roles are shrinking or changing while opportunities across the broader sports media industry continue to grow. The conference is designed to address what that means for curriculum, assessment, student preparation, research, and industry collaboration.

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
SMEA Conference Schedule Day 1

1300-1330   Welcome and Registration

1330-1345    Welcome - Dr. Taylor Umland - University of Salford
                               Keynote -   Dr. Welch Suggs - University of Georgia
                                                       Co-Editor of Teaching Sports Media

​

​
 

1345-1445   Panel 1
The Creator Economy and the Future of Sports Media Work

This panel will explore the growth of creator-led work, freelance careers, branded content, entrepreneurial media, and the wider shift away from older newsroom models.

Panelists:

Daragh Minogue (Chair)- Associate Professor / St. Mary's University
Tom Marshall-Bailey - Former Sports Editor / SportBible
Richard Fitzpatrick - Snr. Editorial Manager, YouTube / BBC Sport
Eleanor Anderson - Head of Media / Black Flash Productions
Dave Powell - Founder / The Seal
Sanny Rudravajhala - Freelance / Track Radio, BBC Sport, Sky Sport
 

1445-1500   Break and Networking
 

1500-1600   Panel 2
Where Do Students Start Now? Placements, Pathways and Industry Entry Points

This panel will focus on entry routes into the industry, what organisations are looking for, where meaningful opportunities exist, and how placements or work experience should fit into sports media education

Panelists:

Connor Park - Head of Football Operations - Charton Athletic FC
Emily Liles - Communications Manager / London City Lionesses
Chris Lepkowski - Course Director, Sports Journalism / Birmingham City University
Warwick Andrews - Head of Commercial / York RLFC
Phil Wilkinson - Journalism Tutor / News Associates


1600-1615   Break and Networking
 

1615-1715.    Panel 3
AI, Trust and Authenticity in Sports Media

This panel will look at the growing role of AI in journalism and sports media, with a particular focus on ethics, trust, audience perception and authenticity.

Panelists:
Angela Anderson-Connolly (Chair) - Journalist-in-Residence / Emerson College
Professor Andy Miah - Chair of Science Communication & Future Media / University of Salford
Paul Marsden - Sr. Lecturer / Leeds Beckett University
Simon Edward Smith - AI Data Annotator / Connex AI
 

1715-1730 Closing remarks and Day 2 preview

A short wrap-up of the day, along with an introduction to the Day 2 workshops and some prompts for delegates to reflect on overnight.

1730-2200  Conference social - Hideaway Pub

■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
SMEA Conference Day 2
 

0930-1000      Arrival, breakfast rolls, tea, and coffee
 

1000-1100       Workshop 1
Designing Curriculum for the Jobs Students Actually Get

This workshop will focus on curriculum and assessment. It will ask what skills matter most in the current sports media landscape, what should still be rooted in journalism values, and how courses can adapt without simply chasing industry trends.
 

1100-1120    Break and Networking
 

1120-1220 Workshop 2
Collaboration: Shared Projects, Placement Systems, and Working Together in Sports Media

Working together on collaboration. Groups will produce ideas on placements and projects which help teams and press organisations work with sports media courses.
 

1220-1300  Lunch and Networking  
 

1300-1400     Panel 4
What Don’t We Yet Know? Research Gaps in Sports Media Education

This panel will look ahead to the questions the field still needs to answer. It will explore gaps in current research around industry change, student pathways, AI, audience behavior, trust, and other emerging areas that deserve more attention.

Panelists:
Dr. Welch Suggs - Associate Director, Carmical Sports Media Institute / University of Georgia
Dr. Lucy Zhu - Sr. Lecturer in Esports / University of Northampton
Dr. James P. Mahon (SFHEA) - Director or Student Support / The Open University
Dr. Taylor Umland - Programme Leader Sports Journalism / University of Salford

1400-1415  Break and Networking
 

2:45–3:45 Panel 5 
Panel 5: Breaking the Mould: Supporting Women and Niche Specialists in Sports Media

This panel explores how to evolve teaching strategies and
industry to support more women on sports media degrees, and
an increase in niche sport coverage.

Panelists:
Gerrie Byrne (Chair) - Co-Course Leader Sports Journalism / University of Lancashire
ANNA THOMPSON - Women's Sports Lead / BBC Sport
Megan Feringa - Women's Football Writer / The Athletic
Farran Golding - Founding Editor / Skate Bylines
 

1445-1500   Break and Networking
 

1500-1600 Group Discussion - Next Steps for SMEA

 

1600-1615 Closing remarks - Dr. Taylor Umland
 

​