News
April Fools’ Day, which customarily falls on the first of April every year, is a day when one might expect to prank or be pranked. In other words, harmless lies are embraced and normalised, albeit for a day, on April Fools’. Lies and deception are not far removed from everyday life as well. On some […]
There has been an increased awareness of young people’s mental health due to new pressures in society. such as technological advances, the negative effect of social media on self-esteem, and economic uncertainty. Today’s youth, having to navigate this dynamic landscape, often fall prey to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and loneliness. In ‘Childhood trauma […]
Pursuing an academic career can be challenging, due to the pressure of having to churn out research for publication as well as having to juggle teaching commitments. This is exhibited clearly in Singapore, an advanced research and development hub which is home to highly ranked universities. Some researchers have expressed their concerns about working within […]
International Taxi Driver Day is commemorated on 22 March annually, celebrating the life and contributions of taxi drivers everywhere. While many in Singapore choose to use ride-share services nowadays, taxis remain a ubiquitous feature of Singapore, from the blue Comfort Taxis to the more luxurious Limousine Taxis. Between 1970 and 1993, taxi company Comfort aimed […]
Volunteering can be done in myriad ways – helping out at local non-profits, participating in community events, or even championing social causes. Singaporeans are encouraged to volunteer at various times in their lives, from participating in the Values in Action (VIA) programme in schools to contributing to their workplaces’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In […]
In the past several years, concerns over poverty and inequality in Singapore have risen significantly. With rapid technological changes and disruptive innovations, economic insecurities for workers in traditional low-waged jobs and the gig economy have arisen. ‘In-Work Poverty and Challenges of Getting By Among the Young (Phase 2)’ continues the previous effort by Associate Professor […]
Fertility rates continue to fall worldwide, with more and more individuals choosing to have fewer children or forgo parenthood altogether. Singapore is no exception and currently has one of the lowest total fertility rates (TFR) in the world, with the resident TFR having declined to below 1.0 in 2023. The low birth rate is a […]
Led by Professor Kenneth Dean (NUS Chinese Studies), ‘Building Chinese Diaspora Resilience and Sustaining Traditional Identities through Promotion of Hokkien Language’, a US Federal Grant-funded project (via the US Embassies of Singapore and Malaysia), investigates the role of the Southern Min dialect, also referred to as Hokkien or Minnan, within the transformation of Chinese Voluntary […]
International Women’s Day is commemorated annually on 8 March. This celebration empowers women by making their struggles visible, thus advocating for greater equality of the sexes.‘Singaporean Women Living in China: The Uneven Burdens of Middle-class Transnational Caregiving’ (Asian Studies Review, 2022) by Dr Sylvia Ang (Monash University), Associate Professor Thang Leng Leng (NUS Japanese Studies […]
As Asian and European nations prepare to commemorate ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Day on March 1st to celebrate the partnership and dialogue between the continents, it is pertinent to reflect on the urban dynamics of Asia and Europe. Cities in Asia and Europe are undergoing significant shifts in migration patterns, marked by transnational ties and […]