IPS On Diversity Podcast

In the past, it was common for wives to stay at home to take care of the house and the children while husbands were the sole breadwinners. However, recently there has not only been the rise in dual-income households, but also stay-at-home dads. Yet, there is still stigma and misconceptions associated with stay-at-home dads. With the change in household roles, how do these husbands grapple with the...

While previously seen as a taboo, talking about race in Singapore is becoming more common now especially with the rise of social media. However, while social media opens space for discourse, it also creates space for polarisation. So how can we talk about instances of racism? Do such conversations detract from the larger structural racism? Aren’t we tired from talking about racism? On the first ep...

In Singapore schools, there is an equal ratio of men and women in the science and tech streams. But at tertiary levels and in the job market, men in tech outnumber women. Efforts are being made to correct this imbalance, as well as that in other sectors where women are under-represented. But can this be considered tokenism? Shouldn’t women — and men — be hired based purely on merit? Besides hiring...

In Singapore, where binational marriages are on the rise, what cultural and policy adjustments must be made to balance openness with national interests? People who are called “foreign talent” may sometimes have lived in Singapore for several decades — like one of our guests on this episode. On the cultural front, does the label “foreigner” still apply to these people? Is it possible to be from bot...

We often think about healthcare in terms of prescriptions and clinical treatments. Rarely, if ever, does empathy come to mind. But in recent years, growing evidence has shown how critical empathy can be in treatment, for both medical practitioners and patients alike. Knowing, discussing and constantly checking in with a patient about their personal needs and feelings can speed up recovery; or with...

How does one distinguish between art and culture? Are the two synonymous, does one serve the other, or is this a false divide? In this episode, Ong Soh Chin and her guests explore these questions in the context of Singapore. At times, art can be boxed within certain cultures and seen as “ethnic art’’. For example, Chinese theatre might be interpreted as something exclusively for the Chinese commun...

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains explicit content.  Listener discretion is advised.  Sex — and all its accompanying discussions of trust and consent — is often neglected in conversations concerning people with physical and intellectual disabilities. This is especially so in societies where sex is a taboo subject. But people with disabilities need support when it comes to navigating their sexual n...

The media landscape is changing, offering diverse points of view and satisfying increasing demands for varied opinions and information. However, there are concerns that this diversity could lead to polarisation. Digitalisation has democratised and sped up access to news. With so much information at our fingertips, bite-sized, snackable content is often preferred over detailed, time-consuming featu...

Different races and religions co-exist peacefully in Singapore, but fault lines are starting to show as the world at large grapples with the challenges of multiculturalism. How can one address these sensitive issues as people talk more openly about them? This episode’s guests are Low Sze Wee, CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre ; and singer-songwriter Jamiel Said, a singer, performer, and...

When it comes to dementia, are we focusing on the disease but neglecting the person? Medication should not be the only treatment for dementia, which is incurable and robs people of their dignity. And what does the pandemic mean for dementia care and programmes? Ong Soh Chin explores different ways to care for persons with dementia, as well as the challenges faced by caregivers. Her guests are phys...

To be woke and to cancel involve a heightened awareness of social injustice and the calling out of offending institutions or powerful people — like the Me Too movement which brought down Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Largely attributed to today’s youth who are less afraid to challenge institutionalised norms, they level the playing field when it comes to justice. But they can also lead to pola...

On Diversity is a podcast series of new insights and fresh discussions, inspired by IPS’ Managing Diversities research programme. In each episode, IPS Deputy Director Ong Soh Chin will chat with guests to explore what diversity means to them, the changes they are making and the changes they hope to see in an increasingly fragmented society. On Diversity launches Nov 2, with new episodes every fort...