IPS On Diversity Podcast

In 2019, the word “they” was announced as the world of the year, a pronoun referring to a single person whose gender identity is non-binary. As the political movements driven by identity politics continue to clash against traditional values in the West, the conversations surrounding neo-pronouns and the fluidity of gender identity has grown louder in Singapore as well. In the ninth and final episo...

Is Singapore’s population losing its grip on mother tongue languages as we become more proficient in English? Two surveys by the Institute of Policy Studies on race, religion and language, found that while proficiency in English has risen, all ethnic groups have become less proficient in mother tongue languages. The eighth episode of the IPS On Diversity Podcast dive into the intricate mix of lang...

"Girl math," a TikTok trend where young women humorously rationalise their spending in ways that defy conventional math have sparked conversations surrounding gender stereotypes and gaps. In this episode of IPS On Diversity Podcast, we delve into the world of "Girl Math" and the persisting gender gap in STEM fields. Featuring Dr Sierin Lim, Associate Professor of Bioengineering from Nanyang Techno...

A study published in 2021 found that 59 per cent of 10,000 young adults surveyed are extremely worried about climate change, with many experiencing negative effects on their daily lives. This phenomenon, termed "climate anxiety", is characterised by feelings of helplessness and fear due to the perceived enormity and complexity of climate change issues. In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship conf...

The complex dynamics of caregiving within families, especially for the “sandwich generation” juggling the care of both children and elderly parents, is a growing concern amongst Singaporean youths. The fifth episode of the "IPS On Diversity" Season 4, hosted by Liang Kaixin, explores the challenges faced by the “sandwich generation” and possible solutions. In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship...

The idea of “adulting” and independence is often on the minds of youths, past and present. However, while young people used to wait until they marry before applying for a flat, more young Singaporeans are moving out of their parents' homes and renting a place on their own as a rite of passage to adulthood, a topic explored in the fourth episode of "IPS On Diversity" Season 4. In conjunction with I...

In Singapore, the concept of work-life balance is evolving amidst the prevalent hustle culture. Are young Singaporeans leaning towards a more relaxed approach to work, or is the drive to maximise productivity still dominant? In conjunction with IPS’ annual flagship conference, Singapore Perspectives 2024, which centres on topics surrounding youths, the third episode of "IPS On Diversity" Season 4...

*Trigger Warning: This episode of the podcast touches on topics involving suicide and bullying* In Singapore, the social stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS remains a significant challenge, lagging behind the rapid advancements in medical science. This persistent stigma, rooted in fear and prejudice, hampers efforts towards a more inclusive and informed society. In the second episode of the fourth sea...

In Singapore, the silent struggle of single mothers facing poverty often goes unnoticed. In a society known for its affluence, these women confront unique challenges that are deeply intertwined with societal norms and government policies. In the opening episode of the fourth season, host Liang Kaixin, Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies and a former journalist, engages in an in-d...

In Singapore, race is closely tied to identity, and racial categories are commonly used in policymaking. With the rising number of inter-racial marriages in the country, is there a need to better represent and account for those with mixed race heritage? In the final episode of the third season, host and Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies Liang Kaixin chats with Shane Pereira, Re...

Working mothers and pregnant women are still facing discrimination, in spite of guidelines that were introduced to prevent this. What are the reasons behind the continued discrimination? Can legislation better ensure fair treatment of these women in society? In the eighth episode of the third season, host and Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies Liang Kaixin chats with two of our...

Death has always been a taboo topic in Singapore. With our ageing population rising as well as Health Minister Ong Ye Kung’s plans to increase the proportion of people dying at home or in palliative care settings instead of hospitals, is it time we begin talking more openly about our end-of-life plans? In this episode, host and Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies Liang Kaixin cha...

The demands of the social work profession have recently been in the spotlight, in part because of the pandemic, as well as highlighted in Parliament. The heavy caseload and long working hours are just some of the problems social workers struggle to deal with. What are the pitfalls of working in a job that focuses so greatly on passion? What policies can be put in place to alleviate the challenges...

2021 saw a five-year record high number of lawyers leaving the industry locally. What must change to encourage lawyers to stay on in the profession? What is being done to increase the retention of lawyers, especially younger ones? In this episode, host and Associate Director at the Institute of Policy Studies Liang Kaixin chats with Andrew Chan, Partner at Allen & Gledhill LLP and Michelle Yeo...

Race has recently been at the forefront of conversations surrounding workplace culture and hiring in Singapore. In addition to the new anti-discrimination laws which will soon be enshrined, what other measures must be put in place to ensure a racially inclusive workspace? Is Singapore’s racial diversity truly represented at individual workplaces? In this episode, which is in conjunction with IPS’...

As part of The Enabling Masterplan 2030, Singapore aims to have 40 per cent of working persons with disabilities (PWDs) employed by 2030. Are the current measures in place sufficient to encourage the employment of PWDs? How big is the problem of ableism at the workplace in Singapore? What more must be done to ensure workplaces are inclusive for PWDs? On the third episode of the third season, which...

Singapore is a rapidly ageing society, with over 17% of our population being 65 years old and above as of June 2021. As a result, the retirement and re-employment ages for Singapore workers will be raised progressively to 65 and 70 respectively, which will result in an increase in older employees at workplaces over time. How prevalent is ageism in Singapore?  What more can be done to encourage emp...

2022 has seen a greater focus on encouraging gender equality at the workplace in Singapore. The White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development released in March 2022 highlighted the introduction of laws which would encourage flexible work arrangements and support greater gender diversity on boards, to name a few. However, is there more that must be done to ensure gender diversity and equality at wor...

Trigger warning: This episode contains references to depression and other mental health disorders. Listener discretion is advised. The pandemic has certainly shed light on the issue of mental health in Singapore. The mental health of youths especially is becoming an increasing concern, but what exactly are the issues youths are facing today that make them more vulnerable to facing mental health pr...

As a young and multicultural country, Singapore’s national identity has always been hard to define. With the world becoming more globalised, more Singaporeans are migrating overseas and more foreigners are moving to Singapore, our Singaporean identity is increasingly fluid and ever evolving. So is being Singaporean simply a matter of citizenship? Or is it about possessing uniquely Singaporean trai...

Many might be surprised that there are homeless people in Singapore. In fact, there are about 1000 people living on the streets in Singapore. Homelessness is often hidden in plain sight and with it being so hidden, it is easy for people to have misconceptions and questions surrounding it. What does it mean to be homeless? Why are people homeless and should we see homelessness as a problem that nee...

There has always been a generational gap between the young and the old with their differing values and attitudes on various topics ranging from parenting to politics. But are these differences really because of the difference in age? Does our age really matter so much and how can we bridge this generational gap between the young and the old? On the sixth episode of the second season, host and Asso...

Social media has changed the face of civil society and activism as more individuals, especially youths, begin to advocate for causes online. In fact, there are many social media accounts that are dedicated to speaking out for specific causes including climate change, migrant workers’ rights and the LGBTQ+ movement. But does social media activism accomplish anything or could it possibly cause more...

Diversity in Elite Schools Education is highly valued in Singapore and many parents are willing to spend money on tuition to help their child get into elite schools. As such, there have been increasing concerns that Singapore’s education system does not improve social mobility, but merely reflects and reproduces class divisions which contributes to the lack of diversity in elite schools. So is our...

Our streets used to be lively and lined with buskers but since the pandemic started in early 2020, they have become a lot quieter. Some buskers have tried to switch to performing online but many still wish to return to performing on the streets. The pandemic has affected Singapore’s busking scene and the livelihoods of our buskers. Although there has been support provided from the government, our...