The Iowa City Downtown District has partnered with the University of Iowa Office of Innovation to bring university researchers into its First Round monthly networking series.

Under the partnership announced Tuesday, University of Iowa professors and researchers will present their work every other month in 2026 as part of the series, which connects locals interested in the city’s arts, business and culture sectors. Each month’s sponsor covers attendees’ first round of beverages.

“The Office of Innovation is excited to partner with the Downtown District on First Round and to highlight University of Iowa faculty and ideas designed to spark curiosity and invite conversation while exploring meaningful, relevant, and sometimes unexpected topics,” said Jordan Jones, creative media manager at the Office of Innovation.

The Downtown District piloted the concept in November, drawing more than 60 people to The Den at St. Burch to hear associate professor Casey DeRoo discuss black holes. Mr. DeRoo explored what black holes are, how scientists know they exist and highlighted Iowa’s connection to space physics research.

“We’ve featured University of Iowa faculty at past First Round events, and those conversations are always fascinating,” said Katie Biegger, director of special events at the Iowa City Downtown District. “Our community is curious, and First Round offers an approachable outlet to explore the research and ideas taking shape in our backyard.”

The first official partnership event will take place Feb. 18 from 5 to 6 p.m. at Prairie Lights Café, where Dr. Bob Cargill will present “Can Archaeology Prove the Bible?” The discussion will explore artifacts and archaeological sites that highlight both the possibilities and limitations of what archaeology can tell us about the Bible. Copies of Cargill’s book, “The Cities that Built the Bible,” will be available for purchase at Prairie Lights Bookstore.

The Downtown District will continue hosting community-centered First Round events during alternating months. The March event will take place at Claude, a French speakeasy on the Northside, where owners Adélaïde Subtil and Thomas Heineman will discuss the business. Heather Bright, a realtor, will sponsor the March event.

For more information, visit downtowniowacity.com.