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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Will driverless cars make ride-hailing cheaper in Singapore?

Will driverless cars make ride-hailing cheaper in Singapore?

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Vincent Chua, Assistant Professor Jacqueline Ho | 5 October 2026

Parents want the best for their child, but P1 registration cannot be only about 'me first

Parents want the best for their child, but P1 registration cannot be only about 'me first

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Vincent Chua, Assistant Professor Jacqueline Ho | 25 September 2026

Food scares abroad are cause for concern in Singapore, not panic

Food scares abroad are cause for concern in Singapore, not panic

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Paul Teng | 23 September 2026

When AI changes the job, who helps the worker change?

When AI changes the job, who helps the worker change?

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 22 September 2026

AI requires universities to rethink their roles

AI requires universities to rethink their roles

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Tan Eng Chye | 17 September 2026

Ministerial Pay: Calibration matters, but also regular reviews

Ministerial Pay: Calibration matters, but also regular reviews

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Aaron Maniam | 9 September 2026

Condo en bloc rules are changing, and neighbours will feel it first

Condo en bloc rules are changing, and neighbours will feel it first

Speaker: Speaker: Assoc Prof Gabriel Kor | 9 September 2026

Rethinking ageing: It’s not about just adding years to life, but adding life to years

Rethinking ageing: It’s not about just adding years to life, but adding life to years

Speaker: Speaker: Professor William Hwang | 5 September 2026

The problem with separate MMR vaccines

The problem with separate MMR vaccines

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Teo Yik Ying | 2 September 2026

When it comes to land use, Singapore keeps some options open

When it comes to land use, Singapore keeps some options open

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Tan-Soo Jie-Sheng | 27 August 2026