My teaching philosophy centres on
empowering students to be knowledge-centric
and emotionally connected to emerging
social issues. When students see the
relevance of what they study to their own
lives, it keeps them interested, engaged
and empowers them to believe that they can
make a difference.
”
Assoc Prof Paulin TAY STRAUGHAN
PhD, MA (University of Virginia); BA (NUS)
Department of Sociology
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- Medical sociology and healthcare systems
- Sociology of ageing
- Methods for social research and survey management
- Sociology of the family and social inequality
- Piloted, conducted and promoted the
Freshman Seminar to guide students into
suitable Majors, while fostering a sense of
community among Year 1 students
- Established a new Major – Global Studies,
offering students a challenging multidisciplinary
curriculum covering global
health, population and migration, as well as
the picking up of a foreign language
- Consolidated existing overseas programmes
under FASSTrack Asia, where FASS
students participate in a five-week summer
experience together with peers from other
universities; selected modules see
participants learning an Asian language and
visiting an Asian country for 10 days
-
Willingly shares her knowledge on data
analysis and research skills by conducting
training for practitioners in government
divisions and voluntary work organisations
- Extremely passionate about statistics — considered by many to be a dry subject — and constantly inspires students through infectious
enthusiasm and a wealth of lively academic, professional and personal experiences
- Shares the challenges and triumphs of the research process, modelling for her students
the role of a social researcher
- Teaches her students to seek information and deconstruct complex issues independently
- Published 18 original research articles in international journals such as Health Policy ;
Social Science & Medicine ; and Journal of Gender, Culture, and Health; as well as seven reports
- Authored Marriage Dissolution in Singapore: Revisiting Family Values and Ideology
in Marriage and contributed nine book chapters
- Contributed articles on teaching to university publications
- Served as an active Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore (2009 – 2011),
speaking up on issues such as education and family life, ageing population, foreign
talent and work-life balance
- Editorial board member of Social Forces
and reviewer of international and regional
publications including Social Science &
Medicine and Asian Journal of Social
Science
- Presented at numerous local and
international conferences, seminars and
public lectures
- Faculty Teaching Excellence Award,
NUS Arts & Social Sciences (2014/2015,
2012/2013, 2011/2012, 2010/2011,
2009/2010, 2008/2009, 2003/2004,
2000/2001)
- Annual Teaching Excellence Award Honour Roll, NUS (2014)
- Students’ Choice Award, NUS Arts & Social Sciences (2012/2013)
- Annual Teaching Excellence Award, NUS (2012/2013, 2011/2012, 2003/2004, 2002/2003, 2001/2002)
- Public Administration Medal (Bronze), Singapore (2010)
" I demonstrate my love for teaching through
my enthusiasm in every classroom meeting
where I share with my students how my
ongoing research contributes to solving
real-world problems. I hope to inspire them
to embrace lifelong learning and be critical
thinkers through my own work. "