1 Jan 2024

Historical storyteller: I had an amazing year in 2023

Historical storyteller, public speaker and guest lecturer Shawn Seah (Arts and Social Sciences ’10) was feted with three awards in 2023 – including an Outstanding Young Alumni Award during the prestigious NUS Alumni Awards event. He reveals what he found most challenging during the year.

A direct descendant of one of Singapore’s most prominent pioneers, Seah Eu Chin, Mr Shawn Seah used to pass by streets named after members of his family, like Seah Street, Eu Chin Street, Liang Seah Street and Peck Seah Street.

His wonder at who they were turned into passion which he channelled into becoming an active storyteller of Singapore’s history, especially the Seah family’s stories.

Outside of his day job as a Deputy Director of Planning, Strategy and Data Analysis at NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute, the father of a three-year-old girl spends his weekends and public holidays working on his books. He has published over 10 books.

He also recounts his family history by giving talks at museums, libraries, and schools including NUS. Since 2019, he has been a guest lecturer for a module on Singapore Studies offered by the NUS Department of Chinese Studies.

How do you manage to do so much in so little time?

I have many more stories that I would love to research and write about, but I have to strike a balance between my work – which is important to me and takes up the majority of my time – my family, and my heritage hobby. It is not easy and striking a harmonious balance has been a longstanding challenge.

But I have also learnt that with determination and focus, we can achieve any goal we set our minds to. It is a testament to the potential within each of us to overcome challenges and turn aspirations into reality.

What was your biggest challenge in 2023?

The most memorable challenge centred around the launch of Our Amazing Pioneers, my first children's book series, which is a departure from my usual narrative nonfiction writing around family history and community stories.

Writing for children requires a delicate balance of education and entertainment, or ‘edu-tainment’ as I like to term it. Challenges lay in simplifying complex historical concepts and technical language without compromising substance.

Why do you say 2023 was an amazing year for you?

There were many major highlights other than launching Our Amazing Pioneers. One was receiving the Outstanding Young Alumni award at NUS Alumni Awards 2023, which affirms my efforts to continue inspiring Singaporeans to explore their roots, find out more about their family stories, and be more aware of Singapore’s history. 

My contributions during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic were recognised with the Commendation Medal and COVID-19 Resilience Medal. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to make a small difference to the lives of migrant workers, who build our Singapore.

In essence, 2023 was a most memorable year, marked by personal and professional milestones on my life’s journey.

What are you most grateful for?

My family and friends, especially from the heritage community, and also the NUS professors and lecturers especially Professor Wong Sin Kiong (Affiliate Alumnus ‘19) from the Arts and Social Sciences faculty’s Department of Chinese Studies, who has been incredibly kind to me.

What excites you about 2024?

I plan to strengthen my leadership abilities and communication skills, growing and improving my writing, editing, and speaking. One should always be learning and one can always get better. 

I also intend to develop new, creative, and innovative approaches to promote local family history and community stories, increasing accessibility to both the young and the young-at-heart.