The Clinton School of Public Service has named Dr. Ophelia Delali Akoto and Megan Kurten as Postdoctoral Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year.
Both Akoto and Kurten hold Master of Public Service degrees from the Clinton School and return to Little Rock after advancing their careers. In their new roles, they will lead research initiatives, teach courses, and mentor the next generation of public service leaders through their work with the Open Governance Lab.
“Ophelia Akoto and Megan Kurten bring a wealth of expertise and novel ideas to strengthen the work of the Open Governance Lab,” said Dr. Robert Richards, Associate Professor and Director of the Open Governance Lab. “We’re very excited to be working with them on their innovative research on public participation and technology in governance.”
Ophelia Akoto
A native of Kumasi, Ghana, Akoto returns to the Clinton School where her path in applied research and public service first began as a graduate student in 2020.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow, Akoto will develop and execute research projects centered on public service outcomes, while also taking on teaching responsibilities and student mentorship.
Akoto noted that returning to the school is a welcome opportunity to give back to the community that fostered her early academic growth.
“Joining the Clinton School as a Postdoctoral Fellow is a full-circle moment and an opportunity to give back to an institution that invested in my growth by contributing through research, teaching, and student mentorship,” she said. “I am also excited to continue learning from the exceptional faculty and leadership while collaborating with colleagues and students who are passionate about creating positive change.”
Megan Kurten
Megan Kurten, a native of Little Rock, joins the Clinton School’s Open Governance Lab, where her research will focus on critical intersections of elections, public safety, cybersecurity policy, and misinformation.
Kurten is completing her Ph.D. in Government from American University and brings extensive research experience in political conflict, security policy reform, and social media dynamics, with work published in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism.
“I am delighted to return to the Clinton School as a Postdoctoral Fellow,” Kurten said. “As a student at the Clinton School, I learned the tools and found the value of research as both a service and a way to evaluate public service efficiency. The work I did and mentorship I received at the Clinton School helped lead me to my doctoral program and my work on how politics impact the quality of governance.”