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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How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system

How to redirect the ‘responsible parent’ script in Singapore’s education system

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews and Dr Melvin Tay | 25 March 2026

AI may reshape the labour market, but the deeper disruption is in education

AI may reshape the labour market, but the deeper disruption is in education

Speaker: Speaker: By Ben Chester Cheong | 19 March 2026

Market volatility highlights Indonesia’s overlooked climate and resource risks

Market volatility highlights Indonesia’s overlooked climate and resource risks

Speaker: Speaker: By Prof Johan Sulaeman | 12 March 2026

How much alcohol is too much alcohol, if you plan to drive?

How much alcohol is too much alcohol, if you plan to drive?

Speaker: Speaker: By Prof Teo Yik Ying  | 9 March 2026

Why the screen time debate misses the real classroom problem

Why the screen time debate misses the real classroom problem

Speaker: Speaker: By Prof John Wang | 5 March 2026

What Singapore needs to change to enable better senior living options

What Singapore needs to change to enable better senior living options

Speaker: Speaker: By Prof Sing Tien Foo and Norman Han | 5 March 2026

Youth radicalisation now encompasses more than religious extremism

Youth radicalisation now encompasses more than religious extremism

Speaker: Speaker: Assoc Prof Carol Soon and Hannah Nor’hisham | 25 February 2026

With AI translation tools, what’s the point of learning different languages?

With AI translation tools, what’s the point of learning different languages?

Speaker: Speaker: By Dr Daniel Chan | 21 February 2026