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.

No, Singapore’s vape ban didn’t cause the etomidate crisis

No, Singapore’s vape ban didn’t cause the etomidate crisis

Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying 4 Sep 2025

Singapore is facing an “etomidate crisis”. In recent months, authorities have seized thousands of illicit vapes, with lab tests revealing that about one in three were laced with etomidate - prompting its classification as a controlled substance and the introduction of strict penalties for traffickers. Prof Teo Yik Ying, Vice-President for Global Health and Dean of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, remarks that long-term harms of vaping are only beginning to emerge, but already show links to chronic lung diseases.

Learn more

Open for business, closed in our hearts? Immigration and future of Singapore identity

Open for business, closed in our hearts? Immigration and future of Singapore identity

Speaker: Speakers: Dr Mathew Mathews and Dr Melvin Tay | 24 December 2025

All I want for Christmas is the same old thing

All I want for Christmas is the same old thing

Speaker: Speakers: Dr Justin Lee, Dr Robyn Tan and Ms Liang Kaixin | 24 December 2025

Singapore’s social cohesion faces big test in the age of borderless viral hate speech

Singapore’s social cohesion faces big test in the age of borderless viral hate speech

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Jaclyn L Neo  | 20 December 2025

Coming face to face with war in a wildlife sanctuary

Coming face to face with war in a wildlife sanctuary

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Teo Yik Ying | 17 December 2025

Does it really matter where our food is grown?

Does it really matter where our food is grown?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Lawrence Loh and Florence Leong | 16 December 2025

Harmless fun? People are using Sora to create problematic videos

Harmless fun? People are using Sora to create problematic videos

Speaker: Speaker: Elvin Xing and Sophy Tio | 11 December 2025

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