It was standing room only at the US Studies Centre to watch Barack Obama and Mitt Romney square off in the first presidential debate. With the focus on US domestic policy, the encounter between the Democrat and Republican candidates was expected to be a pivotal moment in the election campaign. US Studies Centre experts were on hand to offer analysis and answer questions after the debate.
Past event
Presidential debate on domestic policy
When
Where
Details
4 October 2012. 11.00am–12.30pm AEST
US Studies Centre Boardroom
Other events
17 September 2025
Join international experts across government, business and research as they share their insights on the discussions happening in Washington, Canberra and Tokyo, and what they mean for US allies and partners around the world.
3 June 2025
1.00pm
-2.00pm AEST
Dr Michael Green, Hayley Channer and Jared Mondschein spoke with Steven Klimt to unpack the key decisions, internal dynamics, and strategic consequences of Trump’s return to the White House.

14 May 2025
6.00pm
-8.00pm AEST
Watch the launch of Dr Kathryn Schumaker's book, Tangled Fortunes: The Hidden History of Interracial Marriage in the Jim Crow South.