(25 Mar) Future Horizons: Envisioning the Humanities and Social Sciences
The journey forward: Why the human story will always lead the future
Event details
Date: 25 March 2026 |
Time: 2.00pm – 5.30pm |
Venue: Shaw Foundation Alumni House Auditorium |
Theme: Research & Interdisciplinarity |
Can the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) still shape the future in an age increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, climate crises, and social fragmentation? Future Horizons: Envisioning the Humanities and Social Sciences invites participants to reflect on this timely question through two engaging panel discussions that explore the challenges and emerging opportunities facing HSS today.
Bringing together scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders, the event serves as a platform to exchange innovative ideas, foster collaborative strategies, and reimagine the role of HSS in navigating the complexities of the 21st century. Whether you are an academic, policymaker, student, or engaged citizen, this is a call to action to reaffirm the vital importance of HSS in informing ethical leadership, strengthening communities, and humanising technological and societal transformation.
Download the Event Programme here!
Speakers

Prof Kenneth Benoit
Ken is Dean and Professor of Computational Social Science at the School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University. His research focuses on computational, quantitative methods for processing large amounts of textual data, mainly political texts and social media.

Prof Adam Clulow
Adam Clulow is a historian of early modern Asia. His work is concerned broadly with the transnational circulation of ideas, people, practices and commodities across East and Southeast Asia.

Prof Robbie Goh
Robbie Goh is Provost and Professor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, a position he has held since 1 October 2021. Prior to this, he spent 33 years at the National University of Singapore, most recently as Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science.

Prof Mark Graham
Mark Graham is Professor of Internet Geography at the Oxford Internet Institute, Senior Research Fellow at Green Templeton College, and Research Affiliate in the University of Oxford’s School of Geography and the Environment.

Prof Hsueh Ming Qu
Hsueh Ming Qu is Provost’s Chair Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the National University of Singapore. His research interest is Early Modern, primarily the scholarship of David Hume.

Dr Seng Yu Jin
Seng Yu Jin is a Senior Curator and Director (Curatorial, Research & Exhibitions) at The National Gallery Singapore. His research interests cover regional art histories focusing on Southeast Asian art in relation to the history of exhibitions and artist collectives in Southeast Asia.

Martin Tan
Martin Tan is the Chief Executive Officer of The Majurity Trust, a philanthropic organisation with social impact programs in Singapore. Martin was formerly the Executive Director of Institute for Societal Leadership at Singapore Management University and Co-Founder of Halogen Foundation Singapore.

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira
Walter Theseira is Associate Professor of Economics at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. He has advised government agencies on economic research and served as a Nominated Member of Parliament in the 13th Parliament of Singapore.

Prof Lionel Wee
Lionel Wee is Dean of FASS and Provost’s Chair Professor in the Department of English, Linguistics, and Theatre Studies at NUS. His main research interests include language policy, new varieties of English, and broader issues in sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and applied linguistics.

Prof Fiona Williamson
Fiona Williamson is Professor of environmental history in the College of Integrative Studies at Singapore Management University. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Co-President of the International Commission for the History of Meteorology.

Prof Jesvin Yeo
Jesvin Yeo is Deputy Associate Provost (Strategy) and Professor at the School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University. Her research interests are in cultural value, human experience and behaviour, and their applications in cultural heritage, education and wellbeing.

Prof Yow Wei Quin
Yow Wei Quin is the Head of the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences cluster, Programme Director for the Design and Artificial Intelligence undergraduate degree and Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Chair Professor in Healthcare Engineering at the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
