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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When the gates close designing the resilient city

When the gates close designing the resilient city

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Nirmal Kishnani , Professor (Practice) Wong Mun Summ | 17 April 2026

Turning AI factories into climate assets

Turning AI factories into climate assets

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Lee Poh Seng | 10 April 2026

A gentler climb with shorter steps for our most vulnerable families

A gentler climb with shorter steps for our most vulnerable families

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Wong Chin Yi | 5 April 2026

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