KOH, Gillian

Research Interests

Politics and governance; state-society relations; public consultation; development of civil society in Singapore

Publications

• Gee, C., Yap, J. H., Choo, E. & Koh, G. (2023). Public Deliberation on Singapore’s Fiscal Policies and National Reserves. IPS Working Papers No. 51.
• Teo, K. K., Tan E. S., and Koh, G. (2023). Singapore: An Outlier? In, Chu, Y. H., Chung, Y. T., Huang, M. H., and Huang, K. P. (eds.), How Asians View Democratic Legitimacy. Taipei: Taiwan National University Press (pp. 348-360).
• Koh, G. & Yap, J. H. (2023). The Year in Review: Policy and Political Developments in 2022. The Year in Review.
• Wu, A., Koh, G., Gee, C., Lee, S., Lin, G., & Lim, G.(2022). NUS Research on Ageing-Related Policies (2022). IPS Working Papers No. 49.
• Koh, G. and Dhevarajan, D. (2021). Dealing with Human Trafficking. Connecting Civil Society in Singapore with Asia. In Avenell, S. and Ogawa, A. (eds.), Transnational Civil Society in Asia. The Potential of Grassroots Regionalization. London: Routledge (pp.108-124).
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Chua, V., Koh, G., Tan, E. S., & Shih, D. (2020). Social Capital in Singapore: The Power of Network Diversity. Routledge.
Koh, G., Tan, E. S., & Chua, V. (2020). The Future of the Middle Class in Singapore: 2020 and Beyond. In Chong, T. (ed.), Navigating Differences. Integration in Singapore. Singapore: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (pp.207-230).
Koh, G., Tan, E. S., & Soon, D., (2018). Asian Barometer Country Report – Singapore. Asian Barometer Working Paper No.147.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (2017). "Singapore". In Ogawa, A., (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Civil Society in Asia, Oxon: Routledge.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (eds.) (2018). Singapore Perspectives 2017. What If? Singapore: World Scientific.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (2017). Singapore chronicles: Civil society. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies and Straits Times Press.
Soon, C., & Koh, G. (2017). Civil society and the state in Singapore. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies and World Scientific Publishing Europe Ltd.
Institute of Policy Studies. (2017). Year 2026: Doing Singapore differently. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Abdul Aziz, J., Koh, G., Mathew, M & Tan, M.-W. (2016). SG50 and beyond: Protecting the public space in the new era of Singaporean pluralism. IPS Working Papers No.25.
Yap, M. T., Koh, G., & Soon, D. (Eds.). (2014). Migration and integration in Singapore: Policies and practice (Vol. 8). Singapore: Routledge.
Koh, V., Koh, G., Low, D., & Tan, M.-W. (2014). The politics of sustaining inclusive growth and social inclusion. IPS Working Papers No.23.

Koh, G. (2014). The emergent in governance in Singapore. In G. Koh (Ed.),  Singapore Perspectives 2013 (pp. 41–52). Singapore: World Scientific Press.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (2014). Developing civil society in Singapore. In D. Chan (Ed.),  50 years of social issues in Singapore (pp. 205–228). Singapore: World Scientific Press.
Koh, G. (Ed.). (2013). Singapore Perspectives 2013: Governance. Singapore: World Scientific for IPS.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (2012). The future of Singapore’s civil society. In  Lien Centre for Social Innovation,  social space 2012 (pp. 92–98). Singapore: Lien Centre for Social Innovation and Singapore Management University.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (2011). Civil society in Singapore. In T. Chong & S. Elies (Eds.), An ASEAN community for all: Exploring the scope for civil society engagement (pp. 111–126). Singapore: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Office of Regional Cooperation in Asia.
Koh, G., & Ghani, A. (2011). The politics of (non-) interference from the Singapore state. In T. Chong (Ed.), The AWARE saga (pp. 36–50). Singapore: NUS Press.
Koh, G. (2011). Perception of policies in Singapore survey: Presidential election survey 2011. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G. (2010, June). Managing diversity in a crowded country. Global: The International Briefing (3), 31.
Koh, G. (2011, March). A critical discussion of Budget 2011. IPS Update.
Koh, G., & Leong, C. H. (2010). Perception of policies in Singapore survey: Resilience in the economic crisis. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G., & Tan, E. S. (2010). Citizens and the nation: National orientations of Singaporeans survey. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G., & Leong, C. H. (2009). Perception of policies in Singapore survey: Resilience in the economic crisis. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G. (2009). The politics of (non-)interference from the Singapore state. In B. Welsh, J. Chin, A. Mahizhnan & T. H. Tan (Eds.), Impressions: The Goh Chok Tong years in Singapore (pp. 93–106). Singapore: NUS Press & Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G. (2008). Cultivating a Singapore creative class. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G. (2007). Social resilience and its bases in multicultural Singapore. In N. Vasu & Y. Chin (Eds.), Learning from London: Exploring social resilience in Singapore. Singapore: Select Books.
Koh, G. (2005). Report: IPS forum on the casino proposal. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G. & Ooi, G. L. (2005). Relationship between state and civil society in Singapore: Clarifying the concepts, assessing the ground. In H. G. Lee (Ed.), Civil society in Southeast Asia (pp. 167–197). Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.
Koh, G., & Ooi, G. L. (2002). Singapore: A home, a nation? Southeast Asian affairs 2002, 255–281.
Koh, G., & Ooi, G. L. (Eds.). (2000). State-society relations in Singapore. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies and Oxford University Press.
Koh, G., Tan, E. S., & Ooi, G. L. (1999). Survey of political participation in Singapore. Asia Pacific Journal of Political Science, 7(2).
Koh, G. (Ed.). (1999). Conference on the Singapore 21 Vision: Moving forward. Singapore: Institute of Policy Studies.

Op-eds/Commentaries

• Koh, G. (2024, Oct 4). Political and governance impact of the case of S Iswaran pending the possibility of an appeal against his sentence. IPS Commons.
• Koh, G. (2024, Jun 27). Contestation and Collaboration: Politics in Singapore. University of Melbourne: AsiaLink.
• Koh, G. (2024, May 24). Key Assets for Successful Shared Governance Under New PM Wong. IPS Commons.
• Koh, G. (2024, April 17). Creating forward momentum for next GE when Lawrence Wong is PM. The Straits Times.
• Koh, G. (2024, January 23). Budget 2024: Three principles to strengthen support for Forward Singapore initiatives. The Straits Times.
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Koh, G. (2023, November 9). Lawrence Wong’s political workplan ahead of Singapore’s next general election. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2023, October 30). Singapore leaps towards a Big Society. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2023, October 25). Strengthening Integrity in Political Governance in Singapore. SID Directors Bulletin.
Koh, G. (2023, September 3). PE 2023 and brewing questions over the elected presidency system. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2023, September 2). Commentary: The ‘Tharman effect’ at work in landslide Singapore Presidential Election victory. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2023, August 22). A home is not just a house: Singaporeans have wealth that cannot be measured. The Straits Times.
Choo, E. & Koh, G. (2023, August 17). Commentary: Should Singapore look beyond a balanced budget to ensure we will always have enough in our reserves?. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. & Lim, S. (2023, Aug 7). Presidential Elections: Strengthening the Legitimacy of the System and its Outcome in 2023 and Beyond. IPS Commons.
Koh, G. (2023, Jul 21). WP and PAP: Counting the costs of scandals. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2023, Jul 21). Commentary: Addressing gaps in representation and expectations of Singapore political leadership. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2023, Jul 5). Ridout Road saga: Thorough airing of issues shows premium placed on integrity. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2023, Jun 8). Snap Insight: Heft of Tharman Shanmugaratnam may deter others from contesting Singapore Presidential Election. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2023, May 2). Commentary: Singapore may not be able to outbid the big players, but it has its own ‘secret recipe’. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2023, Apr 15). Commentary: Three balancing acts for Singapore society as leadership transition looms. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. & Lim, G. (2023, Mar 1). Singapore has a short 15-year window to promote parenthood. It starts now. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2023, Feb 15). Budget 2023 not simply a Budget of redistribution. The Straits Times.
Wu, A., Koh, G., Lee, S. & Lim, G. (2023, Feb 1). Commentary: Family members should not have to bear burden of looking after dementia patients alone. Channel NewsAsia.
Lim, G. & Koh, G.(2023, January 26). The generation gap on having kids. IPS Commons.
Koh, G.(2022, November 26). Snap Insight: Lawrence Wong’s new PAP post cements future position as first among equals in the party and Government. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G.(2022, November 9). Commentary: Back to basics as the PAP confronts a changing world. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. & Mathew, M. (2022, August 24). Commentary: Decision on Section 377A reflects ‘Singapore formula’ on difficult issues. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2022, June 10). Commentary: Cabinet reshuffle shows how leaders are assembling around Lawrence Wong for complex tasks ahead. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2021, November 21). Commentary: Almost one year on, what has livestreaming of Parliament achieved?. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2021, April 10). Commentary: Challenging task ahead for 4G leaders to resolve succession question, as pace of transition weighs heavy. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2020, July 27). How COVID-19 shaped this Singapore Cabinet line-up. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2020, July 14). How the Workers’ Party won big this General Election. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2020, July 1). Commentary: Why do humble backgrounds matter as candidates standing for Singapore’s General Election?. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2020, June 11). Campaigning can still be inclusive in coming poll. IPS Commons.
Koh, G. & Huang, D. (2020, February 3). Greater effort needed to end workplace discrimination. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2018, November 27). A two-in-one statement about Singapore’s 4G leadership. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2018, November 13). After the PAP party election, what's next?. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2018, August 5). Commentary: Steps to a society of compassion and solidarity we can be proud of. Channel NewsAsia.
Koh, G. (2018, May 12). Aim for 4G leaders: Equalise vocational, academic pathways. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2018, February 21). The politics of Budget 2018: Lots of persuasion needed. The Straits Times.

Tan, E. S., Chua, V., & Koh, G. (2018, January 11). While social class division exists, it does not mean Singapore is divided. TODAY.

Koh, G. (2017, September 7). Shuffles towards Singapore’s fourth prime minister. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2017, July 1). Oxley Road dispute: What’s at stake in July 3 session. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2017, June 14). 以成熟方式处理种族歧视事件.  Lianhe Zaobao.
Koh, G. (2017, June 3). Racism saga: Are S’poreans prepared to grow from Ah Boys to Men?. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2017, February 21). The politics of Budget 2018: Lots of persuasion needed. The Straits Times.

Koh, G. (2016, November 17). Donald Trump’s election: Singapore prepared to roll with the punches. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2016, September 11). EP report brings greater clarity on Singapore’s governance system. TODAY.

Koh, G., & Ng, Z. W. (2016, August 29). With an informed electorate, voting system can cater to young and old. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2016, July 11). Singapore governance in a troubled post-Brexit world. The Straits Times.
Koh, G., & Tan, Min-Wei. (2016, June 9). A speed bump towards our multiracial ideals. TODAY.
Koh, G., & Tan, M.-W. (2016, June 3). 许林珠，陈明伟：总统选举不宜强化种族意识 (Presidential election does not improve racial awareness). Lianhe Zaobao.
Koh, G. (2016, February 22). People-centered growth in ascent to SG100. The Straits Times.
Koh, G., & Tan, M.-W. (2015, November 24). Enhancing the elected presidency system. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2015, September 7). GE2015: Why release sample count results?. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2015, September 3). Understanding WP’s strategy for GE2015. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2015, August 31). GE2015 hustings: Let’s focus on policy, not political grandstanding. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2015, July 31). SG50: Scaling the Mount Everest of aspirations. The Straits Times.
Koh, G., & Soon, D. (2014, November 10). Singaporeans share the ability to embrace, adapt to diversity. TODAY.
Koh, G., & Tan, M.-W. (2014, October 13). Tweaking the Singapore presidential election system. IPS Commons.
Koh, G. (2014, August 20). Making vocational ladder on par with the academic. The Straits Times.
Koh, G., & Guo, Y. (2014, May 31). Adapting Swiss policies to needs of Singapore. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2014, April 30). Taking stock of Singapore’s half-time cabinet reshuffle. IPS Commons.
Koh, G. (2013, November 22). The way forward for state-society ties. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2013, August 27). GRC system and politics of inclusion. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2013, May 4). How govt-civil society engagement can move forward. Singapolitics.
Koh, G. (2013, February 2). Beyond the lightning rod of 6.9 million. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2012, May 24). Go for ‘retail politics’. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2012, January 11). 公共服务难以计量的价值 (The incalculable value of public service). Lianhe Zaobao.
Koh, G. (2012, January 10). The incalculable value of public service. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2011, May 5). People, parties and possibilities. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2010, September 2). Can we engage in more than ballot box dialogue?. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2010, March 8). The quota and its limitations. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2010, February 25). All hands on deck for the next phase. The Straits Times.
Koh, G., & Leong, C. H. (2009, May 18). Getting a measure of our resilience. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2008, September 10). Developing a sense of rootedness. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2008, January 25). The future is not what it used to be. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2007, September 12). Balancing national and individual interests. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2007, April 12). Meeting that second bottom line. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2006, June 3). GE 2006: The other answers to what voters care about. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2006, May 5). The answers that will come May 6. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2005, August 20). PM Lee, second year and beyond. TODAY.
Koh, G. (2005, July 15). Make code of conduct law. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2005, January 14). Casino debate: Laying out all the cards. The Straits Times.
Koh, G. (2004, August 13). Issues come before stars. The Straits Times.

Conference Participation and Presentations/Speeches

• Lecture titled “Public Well-Being: Enhancing Social Mobility and Cohesion in Singapore”, LKYSPP Festival of Ideas, on 22 November 2020, Oei Tiong Ham Building.
• Lecture titled "Challenges for Singapore in the Post-LKY Era, 20 November 2019, Fujitsu Asia Pte Ltd.
• Lecture titled "Singapore's Socio-Economic Trends and Implications" to the ICA Command and Staff Course (ICSC), 4 October 2019, ICA Building.
• Lecture titled “International Organisations and Global City Singapore” jointly with Dhevarajan, D., at the 2019 Global City Roundtable organised by the Academy of Hong Kong Studies, Education University of Hong Kong, 30 August 2019.
• Speaker at the Networking Session with Senior Specialists at the MOE organised by the MOE Senior Specialists Professional Learning and Growth Committee, on “Strengthening Networking by Fellow Experts beyond MOE”, 16 May 2019, MOE Headquarters.
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Presentation titled “Financing Healthcare in Ageing Singapore: What’s Fair?” jointly with Gee, C. at the SGX Corporate Healthcare Day organised by Maybank, 14 May 2019, at SGX.
Lecture titled “Is the 4th Generation Ready to Govern?” at the Maybank ICBCI Invest Asia Conference 2019 on, 9 May 2019, Fullerton Hotel.
Lecture titled “Trends in Social Mobility and Inclusion in Singapore”, to the SBF Inequality Initiative Main Committee, 16 April 2019, SBF Centre.
Presentation, “Dealing with Human Trafficking: Connecting Civil Society in Singapore with Asia” by Gillian Koh and Dhevarajan Devadas, at the Civil Society in Asia: 2nd International Conference, Melbourne, "Transnational Civil Society in Asia: The Potential of Grassroots Regionalization", 6 to 7 December 2018, Sydney Myer Asia Centre, University of Melbourne.
Lecture, “Singapore’s Socio-Economic Trends and Implications”, to the ICA Senior Staff, 3 July 2018.
Lecture, “POPS(8) IPS Post-Election Survey 2015”, for the NUS Methods Course, 26 June 2018.
Lecture, “Civil Society in Singapore: An Overview” to the Catholic Junior College Ignite Programme, 31 May 2018.
Presentation of the IPS Social Capital Project to the National Steering Committee and Working Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony, 9 and 20 April 2018.
Presentation of the IPS Social Capital Project to the Academy of Principals, 11 April 2018.
Lecture, “Singapore Civil Society: The Changing Dynamics of NPOs in Singapore” to the Home Team Academy, 21 March 2018
Lecture, “Singapore: Post-Lee Kuan Yew” for the National Museum of Singapore Docent Training Programme, 6 March 2018.
Presentation of the IPS Social Capital Project at the National IRCC Convention, 27 January 2018.
Lecture, “Populism and Ethno-Religious Nationalism in Singapore” for the RSIS Social Resilience Programme, 7 Nov 2017.
Lecture, “Singapore’s Political Governance System: Fit for Purpose?” for the LKYSPP School Course on Singapore, 13 Sept 2017. 
Co-presenter, “Prospects for multisectoral partnerships in Singapore — A case study”, at the Conference of Asian Foundations and Organisations on Multisectoral Partnerships in Manila (forthcoming).
Presenter, “Governance in 2022: Views from the IPS Prism immersive arts experience”, at Findings from the IPS Prism Survey, Singapore, 28 January 2013.
Closing Remarks, “Living and breathing Singapore”, at the Institute of Policy Studies Perspectives Conference, Singapore, January 17 2011.
Lecturer, “Public consultation”, at the Institute of Public Administration, 12 June 2002.
Lecturer, “Public consultation”, at the Singapore Prisons Department Strategy Planning Retreat, 4 December 2001.
Invited Speaker, “The fundamentals of a strong Singaporean society”, at the 17th GP Seminar, organised by the Ministry of Education, River Valley High School, Singapore, 25 March 2009.
Invited Lecturer, “Social enterprise in Singapore”, for Frontiers of Social Innovation course, at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, 18 February 2009.
Panel Discussion, “The heart and the politics of active citizenship in Singapore”, at the Moot Parliament Programme organised by the Gifted Education Branch, Ministry of Education, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore, 13 February 2009.
Lecturer, “Public consultation”, at the Riau State Officials Study Tour, Institute of Public Administration, Civil Service College, 25 October 2001.
Lecturer, “Civil society in Singapore”, at The World Bank, Strategic Planning Meeting with Country Coordinators from the Asian Region, 20 June 2001.           
Lecturer, “Civil society in Singapore”, at the International Y’s Men Club of Singapore, 25 April 2001.
Joint project with Dr Tan Tay Keong, “Mandarin, masses and mnemonic devices: An inquiry into the state of social capital between the government and civil society in Singapore”, Masters in Public Policy Programme, National University of Singapore, January 2000–mid-2001.
Chairman, “The role of the intellectual and civil society”, at the PAC Fair Seminar organised by The Working Committee, 18 Sep 1999.