Introduction
Who We Are
Social Service Research Centre (SSR) is a research centre in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
National University of Singapore.
The Centre brings together resources and ideas to test social innovations and help evolve a new social service infrastructure for Singapore's next phase of social development. As the first ever entity dedicated to social intervention research in Singapore, SSR is on the forefront of an exciting new frontier in Singapore’s development.
What We Do
Innovative community-based programme prototyping with rigorous evaluation
As a Centre within Singapore’s premium academic institution with strong external partners, SSR enjoys the opportunity to not just dream of innovation, but to test-bed and facilitate large-scale social innovations in the community. Through the use of rigorous evaluation methods and social analytics, we implement solid evaluations of strategic pilot and demonstration programmes.
Strong collaborations with professionals from the government, voluntary sector and academia for flexible and responsive roll out of initiatives
Academia is often viewed as an “ivory tower”, far from practical reality. But at SSR, we believe different. By facilitating research partnerships between government agencies, sector organizations/professionals and academia, we pull together the best hearts and minds to dare to make a change in society.
A unique research and training platform focused on social interventions
Given SSR’s cutting-edge applied research for social transformation, the Centre is uniquely positioned to be a central research and training platform where the capabilities of the social services sector can be developed.
Launch of SSR
The Story of SSR Scissors
SSR's scissors icon was conceived from a simple comment, "we should cut red tape" during an informal discussion between the Centre Director and a practitioner. Often, academics and practitioners embarking on research projects have to burrow through numerous administrative layers. SSR aims to reduce such administrative hassles. Our mission is to bring together resources and ideas to promote and test social innovations, working in tandem with our various stakeholders in the sector. The sharp blades of the scissors also represents the quality of research that SSR aims to produce - cutting edge applied research. Using rigorous evaluation methods, we strive to produce top notch research and social innovations which help to evolve a new social service infrastructure for Singapore's next phase of social and capability development for the sector.
SSR Video Series
The 5th year anniversary commemorative video showcases SSR’s role in the social service sector, through our research collaborations, training and mentorship services.
A conversation with SSR's Co-Directors to find out more about their passions, motivations, and visions for SSR.
Dr Charmaine Lee from National Council of Social Service, shares on how SSR events have helped her work in the social sector.
SSR Associate Dr Walter Edgar Theseira shares on his collaboration with SSR and how the collaboration benefits different parties.
MSF and Tote Board representatives share why they have chosen SSR and what they hope the funding will achieve. SSR also shares how the funding will support the Capability Development Programme, which consists of 4 areas: training programmes, SSR’s Research Capability Development Service, conferences and seminars, and publications.