School of Social Sciences, NTU Singapore

09/06/2026

Football is often seen as a game that brings people together.

But what happens when questions of faith, race, citizenship and belonging enter the picture?

In 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴: 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗿 follows the journeys of elite Muslim footballers as they navigate racism, Islamophobia, media scrutiny and public expectations while maintaining their religious identities on and off the pitch.

Through their stories, the book offers a fresh perspective on how sport can become a space of negotiation, resistance and reimagined identity in today's world.

📚 Available now at Oxford University Press.
https://tinyurl.com/dribblingdivides

07/06/2026

We are delighted to share that 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗵 (𝗣𝗣𝗚𝗔) has been awarded the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗛𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆 (𝗛𝗝𝗗) 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for his book, China's Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy (Stanford University Press, 2024).

This prestigious award, presented by The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, honours the best book on diplomacy published between 2023 and 2025. The jury praised A/P Loh’s work as a landmark contribution, offering rare ethnographic insights into Chinese diplomacy under Xi Jinping and advancing our understanding of contemporary diplomatic practice.

👏 Congratulations to Assoc Prof Dylan Loh on this outstanding international recognition!

05/06/2026

Thank you to the many presenters and participants who have already secured their places at the 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, including those who took advantage of the 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥 registration period.

Your enthusiastic response reflects the vibrancy and strength of the Southeast Asian Studies community, and we look forward to welcoming you to NTU, Singapore, this July.

For those who have yet to register, there is still time to join this international gathering of scholars, researchers, policymakers, and thought leaders as we explore the theme "𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖'𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨."

Participants may also wish to consider the campus accommodation option, which offers a chance to experience life at Nanyang Technological University firsthand - immersing themselves in the vibrant academic environment and enjoying meaningful interactions with fellow conference participants throughout their stay.

With an outstanding line-up of keynote speakers, distinguished guests, and a dynamic programme ahead, we invite you not to miss this opportunity to join the conversations shaping Southeast Asia's future.

We look forward to welcoming you to NTU Singapore from 8–10 July 2026. 😊

Register here: https://seasia2026.com/registration-portal

25/05/2026

The 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 marks a significant milestone as it comes to Singapore for the very first time in its 6-edition history - hosted in collaboration between the NTU School of Social Sciences and the Consortium for Southeast Asian Studies in Asia (SEASIA).

We are heartened by the strong response received thus far, with an encouraging number of applications and registrations from across the region and beyond.

A gentle reminder to participants with accepted papers to complete your presenter registration 𝗯̲𝘆̲ ̲𝟰̲ ̲𝗝̲𝘂̲𝗻̲𝗲̲ ̲𝟮̲𝟬̲𝟮̲𝟲̲.

We warmly invite non-presenting participants and members of the wider academic community to join an international gathering of scholars, researchers, policymakers, and thought leaders, as conversations unfold around Southeast Asia’s political, social, cultural, and economic futures.

Participants can also look forward to hearing from:
- Guest of Honour, 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲
- Keynote speakers and distinguished regional voices
- Exciting programme announcements to be unveiled progressively in the lead-up to the conference

With thought-provoking panels, research presentations, and meaningful networking and collaboration opportunities, 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 promises to be a landmark gathering for Southeast Asian Studies in the region.

We look forward to welcoming both registered participants and new attendees to this important regional conversation.

📍 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
📅 8–10 July 2026

Find out more at: https://seasia2026.com/
Register at: https://seasia2026.com/registration-portal

18/05/2026

Real conversations. Genuine connections. Unfiltered stories.

Our SSS@NTU Masterclass & Engagement Session on 16 May was all about giving prospective students a firsthand glimpse into what life at SSS truly looks like — through the voices of those who know it best: our students, alumni, and faculty.

From candid dialogue sessions with Prof Walid and our student panel, to conversations about opportunities, student life, academic pathways and future possibilities, the afternoon was filled with curiosity, laughter and meaningful engagement.

Attendees also explored the vibrant side of SSS through our student clubs and communities, discovering the many ways students grow both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for spending your Saturday with us — we can’t wait to see where your journey leads next.

17/05/2026

17/05/2026

What a truly unforgettable and enriching evening it was ✨!

A full house and a meaningful evening of conversation as our SSS community came together last Friday, 15 May 2026, for a thought-provoking book talk on Unease: Life in Singapore Families.

The event brought together SSS alumni, students, and faculty for an engaging dialogue with Associate Professor Teo You Yenn, in conversation with Associate Professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah. Centred on Prof Teo’s newly released book, the discussion touched on inequality, family life, parenting, care, and the everyday social realities shaping contemporary Singapore.

The warm energy carried into the evening, where guests connected over great conversations and a book sale featuring Unease and Why Palestine? Reflections From Singapore (by Prof Walid)—both recently listed among The Straits Times Top 10 bestselling books. It was heartening to see such strong interest, with many participants purchasing copies and continuing the discussion informally after the session.

The evening was not only a book talk, but also a warm gathering of the wider SSS community, reflecting the continued relevance of social science perspectives in helping us understand the world around us. Thank you to our speakers for their thoughtful sharing, and to everyone who joined us and made the evening such a memorable one.

10/05/2026

The journey begins here — with our prospective SSS@NTU students.

From meaningful conversations to inspiring interactions, the event brought together future changemakers, our current students, and faculty members in a shared space of discovery and connection. As part of shaping the human future — the SSS@NTU way — students had the opportunity to explore what awaits them on their academic and personal journeys.

Here’s to new beginnings, new friendships, and the start of an exciting chapter with the SSS family. And this is only Part 1 — the journey continues as we welcome another group of prospective students on 16 May for yet another Saturday afternoon of conversations, connections, and discovering life at SSS@NTU.

09/05/2026

Our Sociology professor, Teo You Yenn, recently spoke at an author session hosted by Wardah Books on her latest book, Unease: Life in Singapore Families, with the session moderated by none other than our very own PPGA faculty member, A/P Walid Jumblatt Abdullah.

As discussions on family life, inequality, pressure, and the realities of living in Singapore continue making headlines, the conversation reflected how Sociology helps us better understand the experiences shaping everyday life.

At NTU School of Social Sciences, our faculty are not only educators and researchers …. they are voices contributing to conversations that matter in society today.

Now that’s SSS@NTU for ya..

05/05/2026

“𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.”

For SSS alumnus Chong Zi Yi (Zac), personal growth has been a journey characterized by curiosity, change, and adaptability in learning.

Reflecting on his time as a student at SSS and his current role in Group Talent Management at OCBC Bank, Zac emphasizes how leadership, independence, and navigating uncertainty have influenced his perspective on career development.

His advice to students and young alumni is to remain curious, continue learning, and allow themselves the space to grow.