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.

Resolved to earn more money in 2023? Richer doesn’t mean happier

Resolved to earn more money in 2023? Richer doesn’t mean happier

Speakers: Dr Mathew Mathews and Mr Melvin Tay 5 Jan 2023

Singapore has the sixth-highest gross domestic product per capita in 2022 globally and was ranked 27th happiest among 146 societies and the second-happiest Asian society in 2022 after Taiwan. Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of the Social Lab and Principal Research Fellow, and Mr Melvin Tay, Research Associate, both from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, say that the pursuit of wealth and the growth of workaholism can be unproductive, as they take away time better spent on building trusting relationships, finding inner peace, and engaging in leisure – all of which are important determinants of happiness. 

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Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Simon Chesterman | 16 February 2026

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 11 February 2026

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Speaker: Speakers: Ms Jesslene Lee, Researcher, and Professor (Practice) Paul Cheung | 10 February 2026

Why healthcare innovation must be a team sport

Why healthcare innovation must be a team sport

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Rena Dharmawan | 7 February 2026

Preparing for a future where water costs more

Preparing for a future where water costs more

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Tan-Soo Jie-Sheng | 3 February 2026

Singapore as a super-aged society: Can its health system cope?

Singapore as a super-aged society: Can its health system cope?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 2 February 2026

India-EU’s ‘mother of all deals’ is much more than just a trade pact

India-EU’s ‘mother of all deals’ is much more than just a trade pact

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Amitendu Pali | 29 January 2026

The life-changing turning points out of homelessness

The life-changing turning points out of homelessness

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Harry Tan | 18 January 2026

How you gain if doctors can call up all your health records

How you gain if doctors can call up all your health records

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 14 January 2026