Thought Leadership

Some of the world’s leaders, and leading thinkers from NUS and overseas, regularly gather and add to the rich diversity of thoughts and ideas on our campuses, in Singapore and across the globe.
Here’s what they had to share.

A breakthrough year in advancing workers’ rights in Singapore

A breakthrough year in advancing workers’ rights in Singapore

Speakers: Dr Mathew Mathews and Melvin Tay 31 Dec 2024

In 2024, Singapore has made significant progress in worker protection through a range of legislative measures. These efforts included the Platform Workers Act, the Workplace Fairness Legislation, and the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests. Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of the Social Lab and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS and Mr Melvin Tay, Research Associate at the same institute, commented that the measures reflect a commitment to balancing worker protections with economic realities.

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Kopi, kaya and a longer life: Hawker centres hold the key

Kopi, kaya and a longer life: Hawker centres hold the key

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Daniel Mahadzir | 27 November 2025

IPS study: Unity, belonging and pride at the heart of national identity

IPS study: Unity, belonging and pride at the heart of national identity

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 27 November 2025

Singapore's silent crisis: Is grandpa eating well and enough?

Singapore's silent crisis: Is grandpa eating well and enough?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 19 November 2025

Why are Singapore-made shows unappealing to many Singaporeans?

Why are Singapore-made shows unappealing to many Singaporeans?

Speaker: Speaker: Mr Ben Chester Cheong | 8 November 2025

Singapore's multibillion-dollar events industry has a hidden cost

Singapore's multibillion-dollar events industry has a hidden cost

Speaker: Speaker: Assoc Prof Zhang Weina and Mr Yannis Yuan | 6 November 2025

Singlish is so much more than ‘broken English’

Singlish is so much more than ‘broken English’

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Daniel Chan | 6 November 2025

Cashless but confusing: Can Singapore fix its digital payments system?

Cashless but confusing: Can Singapore fix its digital payments system?

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Daniel Rabetti | 3 November 2025

Chatbots could be first responder for mental health issues, but with limits

Chatbots could be first responder for mental health issues, but with limits

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Nur Hani Zainal | 28 October 2025