With the COVID-19 pandemic normalising work-from-home arrangements and a growing need to juggle careers with caregiving for young children or seniors, the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) took effect last December to help employees and employers find a balance. In this episode of Singapore Unpacked, host Liang Kaixin sits down with Dr […]

 Every now and then, discussions on the CMIO model — Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others — resurface in Singapore, debating its usefulness and relevance. In the latest 2024 Institute of Policy Studies survey on Race, Religion and Language which polled 4,000 Singaporean residents, when asked whether to keep, remove or change the CMIO framework, […]

 In this episode of Singapore Unpacked, host Liang Kaixin examines whether the widely held stereotypes about younger Singaporeans and their spending habits hold water. Drawing on insights from the IPS–CNA survey on financing behaviours among millennials and Gen Z in Singapore, the episode unpacks how these cohorts really manage their money — from the […]

 In this timely episode of Singapore Unpacked, host Liang Kaixin explores the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence (AI) on the integrity of Singapore’s electoral process. As advanced AI tools generate increasingly realistic deepfakes and AI-driven disinformation, concerns grow not only in global contexts — as seen in recent US elections — but also here […]

 The first episode of IPS Podcast — Singapore Unpacked delves into the new Large Families Scheme announced in the Budget 2025 statement, aimed at addressing the nation’s declining birth rate. The initiative provides additional financial support to parents who welcome a third or subsequent child, raising critical questions about whether monetary incentives alone can […]

In 2019, the word “they” was announced as the world of the year, a pronoun referring to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary. As the political movements driven by identity politics continue to clash against traditional values in the West, the conversations surrounding neo-pronouns and the fluidity of gender identity has grown louder […]

Is Singapore’s population losing its grip on mother tongue languages as we become more proficient in English? Two surveys by the Institute of Policy Studies on race, religion and language, found that while proficiency in English has risen, all ethnic groups have become less proficient in mother tongue languages. The eighth episode of the IPS […]

“Girl math,” a TikTok trend where young women humorously rationalise their spending in ways that defy conventional math have sparked conversations surrounding gender stereotypes and gaps. In this episode of IPS On Diversity Podcast, we delve into the world of “Girl Math” and the persisting gender gap in STEM fields. Featuring Dr Sierin Lim, Associate […]

A study published in 2021 found that 59 per cent of 10,000 young adults surveyed are extremely worried about climate change, with many experiencing negative effects on their daily lives. This phenomenon, termed “climate anxiety”, is characterised by feelings of helplessness and fear due to the perceived enormity and complexity of climate change issues. In […]

The complex dynamics of caregiving within families, especially for the “sandwich generation” juggling the care of both children and elderly parents, is a growing concern amongst Singaporean youths. The fifth episode of the “IPS On Diversity” Season 4, hosted by Liang Kaixin, explores the challenges faced by the “sandwich generation” and possible solutions. In conjunction […]

The idea of “adulting” and independence is often on the minds of youths, past and present. However, while young people used to wait until they marry before applying for a flat, more young Singaporeans are moving out of their parents’ homes and renting a place on their own as a rite of passage to adulthood, […]

In Singapore, the concept of work-life balance is evolving amidst the prevalent hustle culture. Are young Singaporeans leaning towards a more relaxed approach to work, or is the drive to maximise productivity still dominant? In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship conference, Singapore Perspectives 2024, which centres on topics surrounding youths, the third episode of “IPS […]

*Trigger Warning: This episode of the podcast touches on topics involving suicide and bullying* In Singapore, the social stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS remains a significant challenge, lagging behind the rapid advancements in medical science. This persistent stigma, rooted in fear and prejudice, hampers efforts towards a more inclusive and informed society. In the second […]

In Singapore, the silent struggle of single mothers facing poverty often goes unnoticed. In a society known for its affluence, these women confront unique challenges that are deeply intertwined with societal norms and government policies. In the opening episode of the fourth season, host Liang Kaixin, Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies and […]

In Singapore, race is closely tied to identity, and racial categories are commonly used in policymaking. With the rising number of inter-racial marriages in the country, is there a need to better represent and account for those with mixed race heritage? In the final episode of the third season, host and Associate Director at the […]

Working mothers and pregnant women are still facing discrimination, in spite of guidelines that were introduced to prevent this. What are the reasons behind the continued discrimination? Can legislation better ensure fair treatment of these women in society? In the eighth episode of the third season, host and Associate Director at the Institute of Policy […]

Death has always been a taboo topic in Singapore. With our ageing population rising as well as Health Minister Ong Ye Kung’s plans to increase the proportion of people dying at home or in palliative care settings instead of hospitals, is it time we begin talking more openly about our end-of-life plans? In this episode, […]

The demands of the social work profession have recently been in the spotlight, in part because of the pandemic, as well as highlighted in Parliament. The heavy caseload and long working hours are just some of the problems social workers struggle to deal with. What are the pitfalls of working in a job that focuses […]

2021 saw a five-year record high number of lawyers leaving the industry locally. What must change to encourage lawyers to stay on in the profession? What is being done to increase the retention of lawyers, especially younger ones? In this episode, host and Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies Liang Kaixin chats with […]

Race has recently been at the forefront of conversations surrounding workplace culture and hiring in Singapore. In addition to the new anti-discrimination laws which will soon be enshrined, what other measures must be put in place to ensure a racially inclusive workspace? Is Singapore’s racial diversity truly represented at individual workplaces? In this episode, which […]

As part of The Enabling Masterplan 2030, Singapore aims to have 40 per cent of working persons with disabilities (PWDs) employed by 2030. Are the current measures in place sufficient to encourage the employment of PWDs? How big is the problem of ableism at the workplace in Singapore? What more must be done to ensure […]

Singapore is a rapidly ageing society, with over 17% of our population being 65 years old and above as of June 2021. As a result, the retirement and re-employment ages for Singapore workers will be raised progressively to 65 and 70 respectively, which will result in an increase in older employees at workplaces over time. […]

2022 has seen a greater focus on encouraging gender equality at the workplace in Singapore. The White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development released in March 2022 highlighted the introduction of laws which would encourage flexible work arrangements and support greater gender diversity on boards, to name a few. However, is there more that must be […]

Trigger warning: This episode contains references to depression and other mental health disorders. Listener discretion is advised. The pandemic has certainly shed light on the issue of mental health in Singapore. The mental health of youths especially is becoming an increasing concern, but what exactly are the issues youths are facing today that make them more vulnerable […]

As a young and multicultural country, Singapore’s national identity has always been hard to define. With the world becoming more globalised, more Singaporeans are migrating overseas and more foreigners are moving to Singapore, our Singaporean identity is increasingly fluid and ever evolving. So is being Singaporean simply a matter of citizenship? Or is it about […]

Many might be surprised that there are homeless people in Singapore. In fact, there are about 1000 people living on the streets in Singapore. Homelessness is often hidden in plain sight and with it being so hidden, it is easy for people to have misconceptions and questions surrounding it. What does it mean to be […]

There has always been a generational gap between the young and the old with their differing values and attitudes on various topics ranging from parenting to politics. But are these differences really because of the difference in age? Does our age really matter so much and how can we bridge this generational gap between the […]

Social media has changed the face of civil society and activism as more individuals, especially youths, begin to advocate for causes online. In fact, there are many social media accounts that are dedicated to speaking out for specific causes including climate change, migrant workers’ rights and the LGBTQ+ movement. But does social media activism accomplish […]

Education is highly valued in Singapore and many parents are willing to spend money on tuition to help their child get into elite schools. As such, there have been increasing concerns that Singapore’s education system does not improve social mobility, but merely reflects and reproduces class divisions which contributes to the lack of diversity in […]

Our streets used to be lively and lined with buskers but since the pandemic started in early 2020, they have become a lot quieter. Some buskers have tried to switch to performing online but many still wish to return to performing on the streets. The pandemic has affected Singapore’s busking scene and the livelihoods of […]

In the past, it was common for wives to stay at home to take care of the house and the children while husbands were the sole breadwinners. However, recently there has not only been the rise in dual-income households, but also stay home dads. Yet, there is still stigma and misconceptions associated with stay home […]

While previously seen as a taboo, talking about race in Singapore is becoming more common now especially with the rise of social media. However, while social media opens space for discourse, it also creates space for polarisation. So how can we talk about instances of racism? Do such conversations detract from the larger structural racism? […]

In Singapore schools, there is an equal ratio of men and women in the science and tech streams. But at tertiary levels and in the job market, men in tech outnumber women. Efforts are being made to correct this imbalance, as well as that in other sectors where women are under-represented. But can this be […]

In Singapore, where binational marriages are on the rise, what cultural and policy adjustments must be made to balance openness with national interests? People who are called “foreign talent” may sometimes have lived in Singapore for several decades — like one of our guests on this episode. On the cultural front, does the label “foreigner” […]

We often think about healthcare in terms of prescriptions and clinical treatments. Rarely, if ever, does empathy come to mind. But in recent years, growing evidence has shown how critical empathy can be in treatment, for both medical practitioners and patients alike. Knowing, discussing and constantly checking in with a patient about their personal needs […]

How does one distinguish between art and culture? Are the two synonymous, does one serve the other, or is this a false divide? In this episode, Ong Soh Chin and her guests explore these questions in the context of Singapore. At times, art can be boxed within certain cultures and seen as “ethnic art’’. For […]

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains explicit content. Listener discretion is advised. Sex — and all its accompanying discussions of trust and consent — is often neglected in conversations concerning people with physical and intellectual disabilities. This is especially so in societies where sex is a taboo subject. But people with disabilities need support when it comes […]

The media landscape is changing, offering diverse points of view and satisfying increasing demands for varied opinions and information. However, there are concerns that this diversity could lead to polarisation. Digitalisation has democratised and sped up access to news. With so much information at our fingertips, bite-sized, snackable content is often preferred over detailed, time-consuming […]

Different races and religions co-exist peacefully in Singapore, but fault lines are starting to show as the world at large grapples with the challenges of multiculturalism. How can one address these sensitive issues as people talk more openly about them? This episode’s guests are Low Sze Wee, CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre; and […]

When it comes to dementia, are we focusing on the disease but neglecting the person? Medication should not be the only treatment for dementia, which is incurable and robs people of their dignity. And what does the pandemic mean for dementia care and programmes? Ong Soh Chin explores different ways to care for persons with […]

To be woke and to cancel involve a heightened awareness of social injustice and the calling out of offending institutions or powerful people — like the Me Too movement which brought down Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Largely attributed to today’s youth who are less afraid to challenge institutionalised norms, they level the playing field when […]

One of the key takeaways from GE2020 has been the need for more diversity – in representation, in opinions, in solutions. It is clear that Singaporeans are becoming more confident about their identities and their right to be heard and considered. Unlike in the past, they are also not afraid to speak up against the […]