Behaliu Atenafu Dessie

Behailu Atinafu Dessie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Bahir Dar University. An accomplished scholar and educator, he specializes in media and communication studies, with a strong focus on media and politics, in the political communication spectrum.
Before his current appointment at Bahir Dar University, Dr. Behailu served as Assistant Professor and Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Debre Tabor University, where he provided academic leadership and contributed to curriculum development, program expansion, and other strategic initiatives at the university.
Dr Behailu is a published author. His research and publications explore critical issues in Ethiopian and global media, including the epistemology of digital journalism, ethno-political narratives in political communication, media ethics, conflict reporting, continuous assessment in higher education, and participatory communication for sustainable development. His work has appeared in leading journals, including Journalism Practice, Journal of Media Ethics, Cogent Arts & Humanities, Journal of Media Literacy Education, Journal of Applied Journalism & Practice, Frontiers in Political Science, Frontiers in Education, and Journal of Development Communication. He also has manuscripts under review in Global Media and Communication, Discover Public Health, and African Journalism Studies.
Dr. Behailu has been awarded several research grants, including projects on stress and trauma reporting (FOJO Media Institute), media accessibility and reception (Bahir Dar University), and continuous assessment practices in Ethiopian universities (Debre Tabor University). He has presented at international conferences such as the East African Communication Association (EACA) and has delivered invited lectures on environmental communication, digital media, and the ethnification of Ethiopian media in different venues.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Behailu contributes to the profession as a reviewer for journals including Journalism Practice and Discourse & Society, and as an external examiner for Ph.D. and M.A. theses across Ethiopian universities. He is a member of the Ethiopian Journalism Educators Network (EJEN), the Ethiopian Journalism and Communication Network and the Amhara Media Association, and the Amhara Scholars Council.
Through his teaching, research, and mentorship, Dr. Behailu is committed to elevating Ethiopian media and communication scholarship to international standards, fostering ethical practice, and guiding graduate students toward impactful research with both local relevance and global significance.