Kevin McGahan

Hi, I'm Kevin, and my 16+ year journey from a Fulbright scholar to public policy expert and award-winning educator at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been both challenging and rewarding. 

I kickstarted my career in Chicago after being recruited by the late Marvin Zonis, a distinguished professor at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, as a political-risk consultant for my deep familiarity with global affairs - particularly Southeast Asian politics. 

After a brief stint in the corporate world, working for one of the Big Five accounting firms, I earned my PhD in political science from the University of Wisconsin, with a focus on international relations (global governance, international law) and comparative politics (political economy, sustainable development, democratic transitions and elections in Southeast Asia). I later applied many theoretical insights from graduate school in practice by serving as an UN-accredited international election observer in East Timor (Timor-Leste). 

These experiences fueled my passion in bridging academic and policy circles to offer practical solutions to contemporary issues. It also deeply shaped my interests in socio-economic development and labour issues - especially global migration - in Southeast Asia. 

Ultimately, I landed at NUS, the region's premier university, where I have had the privilege to conduct research with exceptional colleauges and teach some of the brightest minds in the world. During my tenure at NUS, I have earned several teaching awards and mentored numerous students. 

My research has not only focused on improving student learning during experiential activities, but it has also contributed to the area of socio-economic development and migration - enabling me to become one of the region's experts in human trafficking and forced migration (featured at times in the mass media).

In sum, I am driven by a relentless curiosity and commitment to making a difference. Whether it's through conferences, classrooms, or media consultations, I strive to contribute to meaningful and critical discussions and solutions for some of the biggest issues facing the region - including AI and governance.

#Letsconnect! I am always open to new opportunities and collaborations. I am able to work in Singapore (Long-term Pass) and US (Citizen) - both on site and remotely. Feel free to contact me.

 

• Former Fulbright scholar turned political science lecturer at the National University of Singapore (NUS) with 20 years of experience in international relations, security, sustainable development, and migration in Asia.
• Deep expertise of project management and risk assessment, having actualised study-abroad programmes worth >SGD240k or USD185k (e.g., India, Botswana, Burma/Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam). 
• Multi-award-winning lecturer and public speaker, with proven ability in planning and delivering thought-provoking classes on global governance, migration, leadership, public policy, sustainability, and Asian politics.

Significant Achievements Summary:

• Awarded SGD200k or USD150k grant from Singaporean Ministry of Education (MoE) as part of a team of researchers to improve study-abroad programmes for adoption in junior colleges and secondary schools.
• Earned SGD13k or USD10k worth of grants from Singaporean Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons in 2013 and 2017 to pursue related research as one of the few leading local experts in the forced migration and labour exploitation field (interviewed for Channel News Asia anti-trafficking docu-series).
• Won 5 NUS teaching awards for outstanding pedagogical efforts and student-learning improvement.
• Published in top-tier academic journals and book chapters as well as served as a manuscript reviewer.
• Served as an international-election observer in Timor-Leste under the auspices of the United Nations. 
• Co-developed quantitative-qualitative assessment of political risk for financial clients of consultancy.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Political Science 
University of Wisconsin – Madison • US

Master of Arts – Political Science
University of Illinois – Chicago • US

Bachelor of Arts – Political Science
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign • US