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.

Why Asian nations should pause when America beckons

Why Asian nations should pause when America beckons

Speaker: Simon Tay 14 Jul 2022

As America steps up its engagements with Asia once again, Associate Professor Simon Tay from NUS’ Faculty of Law, who is also Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, cautions that Asian countries should carefully consider if America’s proposals fit their interests and concerns, or if they seem inconsistent and potentially unreliable. Given factors such as the increasing severity of the US-China conflict, and the current mood of instability in American domestic politics, Associate Professor Tay suggests that Asian countries should guard their interests by finding new ways to foster cooperation regionally and globally, instead of relying solely on America to set the global rules of engagement for all to follow.

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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

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

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Trump’s Board of Peace: Should we take it literally or seriously?

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Simon Chesterman | 16 February 2026

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Income growth alone won’t sustain social mobility here

Speaker: Speaker: Dr Mathew Mathews | 11 February 2026

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Flexible multilateralism for a world in flux

Speaker: Speakers: Ms Jesslene Lee, Researcher, and Professor (Practice) Paul Cheung | 10 February 2026