Inaugural Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival Examines Societal Challenges in an Age of Disruption
Published Date: 20 March 2024 04:00 PM
Social Science and Humanities (SSH) researchers across the Autonomous Universities (AUs) have come together to organise the inaugural 'Ideas Festival 2024 – Insights from the Humanities and Social Sciences'. Supported by Singapore's Social Science Research Council (SSRC), the Ideas Festival 2024 draws upon the work of the local SSH research community to look at complex challenges faced by Singapore society and the region in an age of disruptive change.
2 Minister for Education (Singapore) Mr Chan Chun Sing attended the launch event today as Guest-of-Honour. In his opening address, Minister Chan highlighted the importance of SSH research in enriching our understanding of social issues, which are inherently complex and dynamic, shaped by historical developments and disrupted by the latest technological advances. Minister Chan also emphasised the Government's continued commitment to supporting the development of the local SSH research ecosystem and scholarship about Singapore and the region.
3 Ideas Festival 2024 reflects a vibrant and active SSH research community in Singapore coming together for a common purpose – to contribute their research insights to enable a better understanding of society's challenges. The festival will feature 13 events organised by the AUs and research institutes, and will take place from 22 March to 19 April 2024. More than 50 researchers across a spectrum of SSH expertise will share key insights on a range of topics, such as:
- Navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities brought about by disruptive technologies such as the metaverse and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various aspects of everyday life – childhood amid digital acceleration, an inclusive future of work, new forms of social interactions, and fake news in the media.
- Strengthening support for mental health and well-being through a whole-of-society approach, such as leveraging family and social circles to support the well-being of individuals across various stages of their lives.
5 For more information on Ideas Festival 2024, please visit https://www.ideasfestival.edu.sg.
About the Social Science Research Council
As Singapore progresses and matures as a nation, the social sciences and humanities are increasingly important to enrich understanding of our society and issues such as ageing, social mobility, cultural diversity, quality of life, and regional and global challenges that affect Singapore. Funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) was set up in 2016 to provide concerted direction and support for social science and humanities research. The SSRC will serve as a focal point for efforts to develop talent and strengthen social science and humanities research that benefits social and economic development in Singapore and the Asian region.
The SSRC comprises prominent local social science and humanities academics and policymakers, and is responsible for the following:
- To promote and support social science and humanities research that is relevant to Singapore and other societies, particularly in Asia; and
- To develop capabilities and partnerships, and nurture human capital to strengthen the social science and humanities research ecosystem in Singapore.
The Social Science Research Thematic Grant (SSRTG), the Social Science and Humanities Research Fellowship (SSHRF) and the SSRC Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) are key initiatives launched under the aegis of the SSRC. To date, the SSRC has awarded funding to 44 research projects under the SSRTG, 16 early career researchers under the SSHRF, and 37 young researchers under the SSRC GRF. For more information on the SSRC, please visit https://www.ssrc.edu.sg