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.

When being a happy worker can be counter-productive

When being a happy worker can be counter-productive

Speakers: Michael Mai 26 Sep 2022

Happy employees are often thought to be more productive, but this may not always hold true.  Research by Assistant Professor Michael Mai from NUS Business School has shown that staying neutral is potentially beneficial as it may improve people’s coping response and judgements making by signalling that things are normal. He suggests that employees could engage in mindfulness meditation to reduce the negativity that they face. 

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Teaching undergraduates the art of survival in unsettled times

Teaching undergraduates the art of survival in unsettled times

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Simon Chesterman, Associate Professor Daniel PS Goh, Associate Professor Loy Hui Chieh | 9 May 2026

Examining impact of parents’ sensitivity to children’s needs

Examining impact of parents’ sensitivity to children’s needs

5 May 2026

How to manage Gen Z workers when you don’t always see them

How to manage Gen Z workers when you don’t always see them

Speaker: Speaker: Associate Professor Sarah Cheah | 29 April 2026

Saving giant clams in South-east Asia: Halt poaching, raise funds

Saving giant clams in South-east Asia: Halt poaching, raise funds

27 April 2026

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

Why the right of passage through Strait of Hormuz matters to everyone, not just Singapore

Why the right of passage through Strait of Hormuz matters to everyone, not just Singapore

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Tara Davenport | 15 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

If super-tall HDB blocks are coming, here’s what needs to be considered

If super-tall HDB blocks are coming, here’s what needs to be considered

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Woo Jun Jie | 1 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