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Dr. Elia Powers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication at Towson University's College of Fine Arts and Communication. His academic work bridges journalism practice and scholarly research, with a focus on how news organizations can assess their civic impact, promote relevance, and better reflect society's diversity. He teaches courses including Podcasting, Feature Writing, Multimedia Reporting Capstone, Media Audiences & Analytics, Qualitative Research Methods, and Media & Politics.
Dr. Powers' research interests span multiple dimensions of contemporary journalism:
- Podcasting and audio journalism
- Multimedia and data journalism practices
- Audience engagement and analytics
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in media representation
- Qualitative research methods in media studies
His recent scholarly work has been published in leading journals including Journalism Studies, Journalism Practice, Digital Journalism, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, and International Journal of Communication. His 2024 book "Performing the News: Identity, Authority, and the Myth of Neutrality" (Rutgers University Press) explores how journalists from historically marginalized groups navigate performance expectations in broadcasting and podcasting.
Dr. Powers' research trajectory shows a consistent focus on how journalists present themselves, engage with audiences, and navigate identity in media spaces. His early work examined news consumption habits and personalization awareness among students, evolving toward more nuanced examinations of performance, diversity, and inclusion in journalism. Recent publications increasingly address empathy in community coverage, generative AI's impact on journalism education, and the limitations of "performance neutrality" in broadcast news.
Dr. Powers maintains an active professional practice alongside his academic work. He serves as a sports, features, and podcast editor at the Baltimore Watchdog and produces independent podcasts, including the "Areas of Agreement" series that examined the urban-rural divide in the United States. This practitioner perspective deeply informs his scholarly work on media representation and journalistic practice.
