SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS)

03/08/2026

📢 𝗦𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 | 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝟭𝟮

The latest issue of SOSS Insights is now available! Explore key research highlights and achievements from the School of Social Sciences. Read all about it below!

https://socsc.smu.edu.sg/sites/socsc.smu.edu.sg/files/socsc/pdf/Insights/SOSS%20Insights_Aug%202026.pdf

31/07/2026

𝗦𝗠𝗨 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. 🎓

To our graduates, congratulations on attaining this milestone. Your journey has been filled with challenges, growth, unforgettable friendships, and countless moments that have shaped who you are today. As you step into your next chapter, know that you carry with you more than just a degree. You leave with the curiosity to ask better questions, the empathy to understand others, and the courage to make a meaningful difference wherever life takes you.

As SOSS Dean Prof Kenneth Benoit shared in his commencement address:

"Wherever your next path leads you, remember that meaningful change begins with understanding people."

A reminder that in a rapidly changing world, it is our humanity that will continue to matter most.

Thank you to our faculty, staff, families and friends for celebrating this special occasion with us, and to our graduates for making the SOSS community what it is.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. 💚

𝘗.𝘚. 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘯... 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭. 😎

30/07/2026

🎓 Before We Turn The Tassel | Stories from the Class of 2026

For Kenneth, SOSS was a place to ask questions, embrace new perspectives, and discover that learning extends far beyond the classroom.

From his time in DAWNLab to learning opportunities across Asia, each experience deepened his curiosity about people and reinforced his passion for psychology.

As he turns the tassel, Kenneth leaves with one lesson he'll carry forward:

"Approach people, and yourself, with more nuance and curiosity."

Next up, he'll be continuing his academic journey in the SMU SOSS Fast Track Master of Philosophy in Psychology (FTMP).

Congratulations, Kenneth! We can't wait to see the impact you'll make.

29/07/2026

🎓 Before We Turn The Tassel | Stories from the Class of 2026

Sometimes, the biggest moments aren't found in the classroom, but in the moments that challenge us to step outside our comfort zones.

For Aashmika, an exchange semester in Australia became a journey of independence, self-discovery, and growth. From navigating life in a new country to cycling through Narooma and embracing the unfamiliar, every experience became a reminder that taking a leap of faith can lead to the most rewarding opportunities.

As she turns the tassel, she leaves with one lesson she'll carry wherever life takes her:

"Don't reject yourself before the world has the chance to."

Congratulations on your graduation! Here's to continuing to embrace new experiences, trust yourself, and keep taking those leaps of faith.

28/07/2026

🎓 Before We Turn the Tassel | Stories from the Class of 2026

For this PLE graduate, some of the most meaningful lessons happened through conversations.

From organising the Youth Ecosperity Dialogue, to engaging with delegates from across Southeast Asia, Shania discovered the value of bringing diverse perspectives together to create meaningful impact.

As she begins her next chapter as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, she carries with her one lesson that has shaped her journey:

"The best discussions rarely begin with a single right answer."

Congratulations on your graduation! we can't wait to see where your curiosity, critical thinking and collaborative spirit take you next.

28/07/2026

24/07/2026

🎓 Before We Turn the Tassel | Stories from the Class of 2026

As graduation approaches, we're looking back at the moments that shaped the journeys of our Class of 2026 graduates.

A freshmen orientation that brought together more than 250 new students. A passion for serving the community. A clearer understanding of who she is and the difference she hopes to make.

For Nadya Azlan, university was about embracing opportunities, discovering new passions, and finding purpose through meaningful experiences. From leading the 2024 SOSS Freshmen Orientation as Camp Chairperson to beginning a career in the social service sector, her journey has been shaped by the people she met and the communities she served.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Nadya. Congratulations on your graduation, and we wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter! 💚

22/07/2026

🎓 Before We Turn the Tassel | Stories from the Class of 2026

As graduation approaches, we're looking back at the moments that shaped the journeys of our Class of 2026 graduates.

A semester in the Netherlands. Lifelong friendships. A childhood dream about to become reality.

For Isaac, his time at SOSS was about saying yes to opportunities that pushed him beyond his comfort zone. His exchange experience broadened his perspective, while being a KKH Scholar reinforced the importance of compassion and giving back to the community.

Next, he'll be joining the Singapore Police Force as a Direct-Entry Inspector, where he hopes to make a positive difference in people's lives.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Isaac. Congratulations on your graduation, and we wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter! 💚

SMU Giving

21/07/2026

Why do so many women leave STEM? Associate Professor Cheng Chi-Ying’s research reveals that the answer lies not only in external barriers, but also in identity. When women perceive gender bias, it can weaken the perceived compatibility between their gender and male-dominated professional identities (Gender–Professional Identity Integration), ultimately reducing their academic performance, career aspirations, and retention in STEM.

This insightful research finding has been published in the International Journal of STEM Education here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40594-026-00635-w?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20260720&utm_content=10.1186%2Fs40594-026-00635-w

Background Gender imbalance in STEM, characterized by a significant underrepresentation of women, remains a significant challenge. Although gender bias is a well-known contributor to women’s attrition from STEM, the psychological mechanisms linking gender bias to departure are less well understood...

20/07/2026

Congratulations to Assistant Professor George Wong on receiving two awards at the International Conference on Responsible Tourism and Hospitality (ICRTH) 2026 in Miri, Sarawak!

George was awarded the 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 in his area category and the 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗱-𝗜𝗖𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for his paper, 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 – 𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵-𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘈𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 (𝘚𝘛𝘚𝘈) 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘴.

His research is part of his Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) work, which explores how experiential and immersion learning in Asia can foster intercultural mindfulness and responsible tourism mindsets through short-term study abroad programmes.

Congratulations to George on this well-deserved international recognition and for advancing innovative approaches to teaching and learning! 🎉