Singapore is a diverse society featuring a multiplicity of identities. Since Independence, policies have been developed to promote a meritocratic society while recognizing and maintaining its multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious characteristics. Globalization and recent waves of immigration add new norms, values and worldviews into our cosmopolitan society. Individuals and groups respond to national, racial, professional and familial identities expected of them and at the same time, exploring their social, cultural, linguistic, religious and political roles. These roles and identities often carry complex, and sometimes, competing social meanings. It becomes pertinent that policy development facilitates harmonious interactions in everyday living, as well as enhances social cohesion and inclusion for national development.

IPS examines the dynamism of identity formations and the ways policies manage these diverse identities and social meanings for an inclusive society. It also engages the perspectives of relevant stakeholders to help policymakers meet the challenges in strengthening the “Singapore-ness” in a mosaic display of identities, affiliations and attitudes in an open city-state.

Relevant research in this respect takes on longitudinal perspectives to examine social changes in society and identity, and to identify emerging trends. In particular, IPS investigates trends in the family, studies social integration efforts, analyses developments in education and language management, as well as documents the impact of policies on various social aspects of everyday living.

Chiang Wai Fong
Kang Soon Hock
Mathew Mathews
Danielle Hong
Zhou Rongchen

KEY PROJECTS/PUBLICATIONS

Religious Diversity in Singapore
Lai Ah Eng, ed., Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore, 2008.

Secularism and Spirituality: Seeking Integrated Knowledge and Success in Madrasah Education in Singapore
Abdul Rahman, Noor Aisha and Lai, Ah Eng, eds., Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Academic, 2006.

Facing Faiths, Crossing Cultures Key trends and issues in a multicultural world
Lai Ah Eng, ed,Singapore: SNP International, 2005.

Beyond Rituals and Riots: Ethnic Pluralism and Social Cohesion in Singapore
Lai Ah Eng, ed, Singapore: Eastern Universities Press, 2004.

The Importance of Cross-Cultural Exchange in the Remaking of Singapore
Lai Ah Eng, in Remaking Singapore : Recommendations from the Institute of Policy Studies.
Web publication:  http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/ips_stag/pub/rsc/IPS_LAI.pdf , 2002

Report on IPS Research Forum on Ethnic Relations in Singapore

Web publication: http://www.ips.org.sg, IPS, Nov 2002

The IPS Ethnic Relations in Singapore Project, 2002

Closed-Door discussions on Ethnic Relations and Social Cohesion, 2001

Survey of Ethnicity, National Identity and Sense of Rootedness among Singaporeans, 2001

Survey of National Orientations, 1998 and 1993

Submission on Cross-Cultural Communication Agenda
to the Ministry of Information and the Arts (MITA), 1995

“Living in Singapore as a Mixed-Marriage Family”

Focus Group Discussions, 1993 The Management of Ethnic Relations in Public Housing Estates
Ooi Giok Ling, Sharon Siddique & Soh Kay Cheng. Singapore: Times Academic Press for IPS, 1993

“The Management of Ethnic Relations in Public Housing Estates”
Closed-Door Discussions, 1991 and 1993

“The Promotion of Chinese Language and Culture in a Multiracial Singapore”,
Closed-Door Discussions, 1990 and 1991

“The Malays in Singapore”
Closed-Door Discussion, 1991

Survey of Ethnic Identity, National Identity and Citizenship, 1990

“Multiracialism in Singapore”
Closed-Door Discussion, 1989 “

Defining the Place of Religion in a Multiethnic Body Politic”
Closed-Door Discussion, 1988