Spectrum News 1: UC watch party goes virtual for debate
UC faculty led virtual debate watch party to engage Bearcat voters
Spectrum News 1 covered the University of Cincinnati’s virtual watch party for the presidential debate which took place Sept. 29. The event was held for UC Bearcats: faculty, staff, students and alumni. Hundreds participated and Bearcat voters got the chance to react to the candidates in real time.
Before the event, a "Bearcat expert panel" provided a nonpartisan analysis of the race. Afterwards, the panel took questions from voters before attendees voted for who they think won the debate.
The watch party was hosted by Richard Harknett, professor and head of UC’s Department of Political Science, and three other political science faculty.
"It seemed like the chat rooms were active and people behaved themselves. So, I think they stayed within the context of what we were hoping," says Harknett.
>Read more about the watch party and Spectrum News 1 coverage.
Featured image at top of Richard Harknett. Photo/UC Content + Brand/Kelley
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Defying the demographic cliff
October 7, 2026
Despite the looming demographic cliff, the University of Cincinnati and five other major Greater Cincinnati universities grew enrollment this fall, with UC reaching a record 54,437 students, helped by strong first-year demand.
FAA turns to AI to reform air traffic control
October 6, 2026
WKRC Local 12 turned to an aerospace engineering professor at the University of Cincinnati to explain the risks and benefits of a proposal by the Federal Aviation Administration to use artificial intelligence to revamp air traffic control in the United States.
UC emergency physician receives $2.5 million NIH research grant
October 6, 2026
University of Cincinnati emergency medicine physician Natalie Kreitzer, MD, received a $2.5 million National Institutes of Health R01 grant to lead a clinical trial testing a wellness program for family caregivers of traumatic brain injury patients.