Michael C. Keith, Ph.D.

Professor Keith is the author of over 20 acclaimed books on electronic media, as well as a published memoir. He is currently editing a found manuscript by radio's legendary dramatist, Norman Corwin, for publication. What he refers to as his "fringe group" series consists of a book that examines the use of radio and television by Native Americans—Signals in the Air (Praeger, 1995), a book that explores the nature and role of counterculture radio in the sixties—Voices in the Purple Haze (Praeger, 1997), a book that probes the right-wing's exploitation of the electronic media airwaves—Waves of Rancor (M.E. Sharpe, 1999, with Robert Hilliard), a book that examines the role of gays and lesbians in broadcasting—Queer Airwaves (M.E. Sharpe, 2001, with Phylis Johnson), a book about broadcasting and the First Amendment—Dirty Discourse (Blackwell Press, 2003, with Robert Hilliard), a book that evaluates the loss of localism in American radio—The Quieted Voice (Southern Illinois University Press, 2005, Robert Hilliard), and an edited volume on the impact of the audio medium in American life—Radio Cultures (Peter Lang, 2008).

Keith is also the author of the most widely adopted text on radio in the country—The Radio Station, 7th edition (Focal Press, 2007), an oral history—Talking Radio (M.E. Sharpe, 2000), a study of nocturnal broadcasting—Sounds in the Dark (Iowa State University Press, 2001), The Broadcast Century, 4th edition (Focal Press, 2005, with Robert Hilliard), and a history of FM broadcasting—Sounds of Change (University North Carolina Press, 2008, with Christopher Sterling). He is also the author of a critically applauded memoir—The Next Better Place (Algonquin Books, 2003) as well as numerous journal articles. He has been invited to speak at many international conferences and universities.

Prior to joining Boston College, Keith served as Chair of Education at the Museum of Broadcast Communication, taught at George Washington University and Marquette University, was director of the communication program at Dean College, and worked as a professional broadcaster for a dozen years. He is the cofounder of the Broadcast Education Association's Radio Division and the recipient of many honors, including the Stanton Fellow Award and the Distinguished Scholar Award presented by national communication organizations.