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A man in a pink sweatshirt smiles and holds a camera next to a photo of Vladimir Putin hanging on the wall

2026 Oscar Reviews: 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin'

March 10, 2026

On March 15, the 98th Academy Awards will showcase the best – and most talked-about – films of the year. Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, some VCU professors shared their thoughts on films that aligned with their area of expertise and will be in contention in a variety of categories.

A man in a flannel robe stands beside an older-model sedan in the middle of a desert highway, aiming a rifle with one hand and raising a cylindrical object in the other

2026 Oscar Review: 'One Battle After Another'

March 10, 2026

On March 15, the 98th Academy Awards will showcase the best – and most talked-about – films of the year. Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, some VCU professors shared their thoughts on films that aligned with their area of expertise and will be in contention in a variety of categories.

A man with a beard stands beside a mid-20th Century payphone, holding the receiver up to his ear

2026 Oscar Reviews: 'The Secret Agent'

March 10, 2026

On March 15, the 98th Academy Awards will showcase the best – and most talked-about – films of the year. Ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night, some VCU professors shared their thoughts on films that aligned with their area of expertise and will be in contention in a variety of categories.

Payton Hardinge, an alum and grad student at VCU, has embraced the critical importance of fundraising to health care in her position as senior director of development for Children’s Hospital Foundation. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

As her VCU roots deepen, so does her fundraising for pediatric care

Feb. 24, 2026

Payton Hardinge went from student to staff in 2011, and her work at Children’s Hospital Foundation is funding advances in muscular dystrophy research, family support and other areas.

We are “far better at building these systems than at governing them,” VCU expert Jason Ross Arnold said about political chatbots. (Getty Images)

Here are five primary dangers from political AI chatbots, VCU expert Jason Ross Arnold says

Feb. 5, 2026

The political science professor also shares advice – and a stark warning about the threat to democracy.

Alexander Campbell sits on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. Campbell has been involved in the political process since he was 9 and today works for Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. (Contributed image)

Justice, education and advocacy propel Alexander Campbell

Jan. 28, 2026

The senior, who led the push for new state legislation when he was a child, today serves on the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and works for a member of the Virginia House of Delegates – among many other efforts.

Presented by the Institute for Democratic Empowerment and Pluralism, the Virginia Government Simulation offers a unique opportunity for students to live the life of a lawmaker. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Virginia Government Simulation lets students pick up the bills

Nov. 24, 2025

In its second year, the mock legislative session led by VCU welcomed more than 100 participants from Virginia colleges.

Students including Blake Jocuns traveled around Central Virginia to conduct interviews at polling locations throughout the day. (Contributed photo)

Journalism and political science students had Election Day covered

Nov. 20, 2025

Collaboration between the Robertson School and the Department of Political Science offered real-world training at the polls.

Nardos Iyob

Nardos Iyob (B.A. ’20) raises awareness for a major adolescent development study

Nov. 10, 2025

Iyob’s survey of the humanities as a Department of Political Science and Department of African American Studies double major prepared her to work in research

As one of two states this year with a gubernatorial election, Virginia is at the forefront of the national political conversation. (Getty Images)

VCU experts available to discuss Virginia election topics

Oct. 1, 2025

Political science educators Alex Keena and Jatia Wrighten can offer analysis and perspective on voting, voter turnout, campaign finance and more.