SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS)

07/09/2026

Considering a PhD in Psychology?

SMU PhD Day returns on 10 October 2026, bringing together those interested in learning more about postgraduate research opportunities at SMU.

As part of the day's programme, join our PhD in Psychology Information Session from 5.00–5.45pm to find out more about what pursuing doctoral research at SMU could look like for you.

Attend in person or online:
📍 Register to attend in person → https://eventregistration.smu.edu.sg/smuphd2026
💻 Register to join online → https://cgrs.smu.edu.sg/acton/media/44129/phdday2026

Join us to learn more about the PhD in Psychology programme and the research journey at SMU.

01/09/2026

Congratulations to Assistant Professor George Wong on receiving the CIS Core Curriculum Teaching Excellence Award under the Communities Pillar for Academic Year 2025/26, an honour he shares with fellow SOSS faculty member, Lecturer Jeffrey Grove.

This award recognises educators who demonstrate exceptional commitment to teaching and create meaningful learning experiences that inspire and empower students.

George's outstanding achievement also earns him a place in the CIS Core Curriculum Teaching Excellence Award Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for educators who have received this honour for three consecutive years.

Join us in congratulating George on this remarkable milestone and well-deserved recognition! 👏

28/08/2026

What starts with one person can spark a connection with many.🌱

SMU School of Social Sciences alumna Siti Noormasliana Noorazman (Masliana N.) founded Project Candela with a simple but meaningful goal: to build friendships with migrant workers and create spaces where they feel a greater sense of belonging.

Inspired by her own experiences and her desire to better understand the experiences of others, she hopes to encourage more meaningful connections within the community.

Read more about her journey here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/i-understand-what-it-feels-like-to-be-excluded-smu-grad-started-project-to-befriend-migrant-workers?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawT93fJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMUJUTkhpaTJlSlQ3Rm81TlNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeXucs3JWvcazeI2j-Pn5Qozaa4FBhfMPJs6dZy6KoZJ0JvgdAotS-xuZxGPY_aem_zDH5Jv0ZcHnk88rX6kEe0w

Masliana started the initiative to care for migrant workers confined to their dorms during the pandemic. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

26/08/2026

SMU Homecoming was an afternoon of familiar faces, fun games and plenty of reunions, and we’re thrilled to share that SOSS took home the Homecoming Challenge Trophy! 🏆

A big thank you to all our SOSS alumni who came back, reconnected with old friends and spent the afternoon with us. It was wonderful to see our SOSS community come together! And the reunions don’t stop here.

👀 We're calling all SOSS alumni for a Get-Together this November! More details coming soon, so keep an eye out and spread the word to you fellow SOSS alumni.

Big thanks to SMU Office of Alumni Relations for organising such a great Homecoming, and Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Matters, Steven Burik, for joining us and showing his support for the SOSS community.

And of course, a special shoutout to our SOSCIETY committee members, Evania Lim, Tahseenah Reaz and Ming Han Tan, for running SOSS's booth and being great ambassadors throughout the afternoon. 💚

20/08/2026

𝗦𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂!
𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗠𝗨 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! 🎉

Come back to campus, reconnect with old friends and, of course, show some SOSS spirit at the GameUP Homecoming Challenge. We’d love to see more of our SOSS alumni there, so gather your friends, sign up and come represent SOSS!

Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time to join us this Saturday, 22 August.
Register here: https://lnkd.in/gR55at3N

See you at Homecoming! 💚

19/08/2026

Developmenting Asia’s sustainable infrastructure is not just a question of what needs to be built, but also how we finance it.

Last Thursday, 13 August, SMU Master of Sustainability (MST) programme brought together industry and academic experts for a panel discussion on “Development and Finance of Sustainable Infrastructure in Asia”.

Moderated by Allard Nooy, Managing Director, Markland Infrastructure Asia and Adjunct Lecturer at SMU, the panel explored the scale of Asia’s infrastructure needs, the transition towards low-emission and climate-resilient systems, and the evolving financing mechanisms needed to bridge the region’s investment gap.

The discussion brought together perspectives across urban studies, energy, professional services and banking:

• Kelvin Wong, Chief Sustainability Officer, DBS
• Bing Yi Lee, Partner, Sustainability & Climate Change, PwC
• Christina Lee, MSc, SCR Head of Sustainability, YTL Power Seraya
• Sayd Randle, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies, College of Integrative Studies, SMU

From clean energy and low-emission transport to climate adaptation and innovative financing, the panel highlighted the importance of bringing together public and private capital, policy, technology and expertise to build infrastructure that is both sustainable and resilient.

A timely conversation on the opportunities and challenges shaping Asia’s sustainable future.

12/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Lecturer Jeffrey Grove on receiving an Honourable Mention for the David Brian Robertson Conference Paper Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA)!

Jeffrey was recognised for his paper, “Groundless—Captious—or Premature’: Settler Organization in Mississippi Territory and the Development of the American Administrative State,” which examines settler organisation and its role in the development of the American administrative state.

The award recognises outstanding papers in Politics and History presented at the previous APSA Annual Meeting. Jeffrey is among the 2026 recipients recognised by APSA.

Congratulations, Jeffrey, on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

10/08/2026

As our 𝘉𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘭 series comes to a close, we leave you with one final reflection from our 2026 Valedictorian, Arianna Rodrigues.

From unforgettable late-night project sessions to meaningful community service experiences, Arianna's time at SOSS has been shaped by the people she met, the lessons she learned and the compassion she hopes to carry forward.

Next, she'll be pursuing an MSc in Public Policy & Administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science before returning to Singapore to serve with the SAF Digital & Intelligence Service.

As she begins this next chapter, we celebrate not only her achievements, but also the values she embodies. Her decision to dedicate her $10,000 Valedictorian Award towards supporting underprivileged students reflects her belief that education is a powerful equaliser and that meaningful change begins with understanding people's stories.

Congratulations once again, Arianna. Thank you for being such an inspiring member of the SOSS community. We wish you every success in the journey ahead. 💚

08/08/2026

Happy 61st National Day, Singapore! 🇸🇬

06/08/2026

A proud moment for SMU School of Social Sciences!

Congratulations to Professor David Chan on being appointed to the Global Advisory Panel on Skills (GAPS), a new international expert panel jointly established by the World Bank Group and the Center for Global Development.

As one of just 22 global experts, Professor Chan will help shape evidence-based recommendations on workforce skills and lifelong learning to support countries preparing for the future of work.

Read more about this distinguished appointment: https://smu.sg/ju77