Pepperdine's Davenport Institute Expands Global AI Leadership Through ICMA Fellowship

Pepperdine University's Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership is expanding its international leadership in artificial intelligence, democratic governance, and public trust through a new global research initiative supported by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM, executive director of the Davenport Institute within Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 ICMA Tranter-Leong Fellowship, a competitive international fellowship supporting professional development and research outside the United States. 

The fellowship will support Pirnejad's work in collaborating with international scholars, government leaders, and practitioners exploring the responsible application of artificial intelligence in democratic institutions. The award includes a $5,000 grant supporting the international research and professional exchange initiative.

The initiative will be centered at Pepperdine's Hauteville Campus in Switzerland, providing a global setting for research, collaboration, and dialogue focused on one of the defining public policy challenges of the next generation: how governments can responsibly harness artificial intelligence while strengthening transparency, civic engagement, and public trust.

The fellowship represents an important milestone for Pirnejad, the Davenport Institute, and Pepperdine University's expanding role in shaping conversations surrounding technology, governance, and civic leadership.

"Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the way governments serve their communities," said Pirnejad. "As public institutions adopt these technologies, questions surrounding trust, transparency, ethics, and accountability become increasingly important. I am honored to represent Pepperdine University, the Davenport Institute, and ICMA through this international collaboration and look forward to bringing back new ideas, partnerships, and practical insights that will help public sector leaders navigate this rapidly changing landscape."

Established in 2017 through the generosity of former Association of Bay Area Governments Executive Directors Revan A. F. Tranter and Eugene Y. Leong, the Tranter-Leong Fellowship advances ICMA's commitment to international professional development by supporting research, teaching, professional exchange, and collaboration that strengthen local government management worldwide. Recipients are selected for projects that broaden international perspectives and contribute to advancing good governance across communities.

During his time in Switzerland, Pirnejad will conduct research, participate in professional exchanges, and meet with academic institutions and international organizations examining the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, governance, ethics, and public administration. He will explore innovative approaches to responsible AI adoption while identifying practical lessons that can benefit local governments throughout California, the United States, and the broader international community.

“Pepperdine’s growing international presence provides an important platform for engaging the defining public policy challenges of our time,” said Pete Peterson, dean of Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. “Through the Davenport Institute’s leadership at the intersection of artificial intelligence, democratic governance, and public trust, we are helping ensure that technological innovation remains grounded in ethical and human-centered leadership. Peter’s ICMA fellowship reflects our commitment to developing principled public leaders who can address society’s most pressing challenges with wisdom, integrity, and a truly global perspective.”

The research initiative builds upon the Davenport Institute's mission of strengthening democratic governance through meaningful public engagement and principled leadership. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding how governments can responsibly implement artificial intelligence while maintaining public confidence, organizational transparency, and the human-centered values that define effective public service.

As executive director of the Davenport Institute, Pirnejad has focused his career on strengthening civic leadership, public engagement, and collaborative governance. His work increasingly examines how emerging technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, can improve public service delivery while preserving the principles of democratic accountability, ethical leadership, and institutional trust. The fellowship provides an opportunity to expand that work internationally by engaging with leading researchers, practitioners, and policy experts from Europe and beyond.

Following completion of the fellowship, Pirnejad will share findings and recommendations through publications, executive education programs, conference presentations, and future Davenport Institute initiatives. Insights from the international exchange will inform ongoing research and professional development efforts designed to help local government leaders responsibly integrate artificial intelligence while strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.