JCU Conversations

Hybrid work is reshaping how organisations design jobs, manage performance, and support employee well-being. But while flexible work brings along advantages, it also raises important questions about boundaries, isolation, and what effective work arrangements really look like in practice. Join Professor Alexandra Beauregard, Professor of Organizational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London,...

The future of work is here. From AI and hybrid work to shifting workforce expectations and generational change, today’s workplace is being reshaped by powerful global megatrends. Join organisational behaviour expert Professor Eddy Ng as he shares about the six big megatrends, why they matter, and how these forces are transforming careers, organisations, and the skills needed to stay adaptable in a...

What happens when psychology meets nature? Associate Professor Denise Dillon, Acting Dean of Research and Associate Dean of Research Education at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), shares about environmental psychology – the study of how our surroundings influence our thoughts, behaviours and wellbeing. This episode’s host: Dr Samuel Chng , Research Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew C...

What does it really take to build a career across six countries? What are employers really looking for, beyond CVs? In this episode of JCU Conversations, we speak to Joyce Bijl, Business Development Director Asia Pacific & Middle East at ManpowerGroup. Based in Singapore today, Joyce has lived and worked in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Dubai, the UAE, and Singapore. She share...

Is AI wiping out entry-level jobs? How is it changing businesses? How can we stay relevant? Join Christopher Warren, Head of Business Strategy and Chief of Staff for the Asia Pacific region at Red Hat as he shares about the impact of AI on careers, academia, why AI probably won’t replace us, and more. This episode’s host: Lance DuBos , Lecturer at James Cook University (Singapore Campus). Connect...

How do smart cities use data science to improve daily lives? Our Senior Lecturer in Data Science, Dr Lijuan Shen, shares how data science and AI shape the world around us – from the smart infrastructure systems around us, to technologies behind the scenes that keep cities running safely and efficiently. This episode’s host: Dr Randy Zhu , Lecturer in Information Technology at James Cook University...

In this episode, our resident aquaculture expert comes on board to take us beneath the surface of one of the world’s youngest yet fastest-growing food sectors. Listen as Distinguished Professor Dean Jerry – Distinguished Professor in Aquaculture and Director of the Tropical Futures Institute at James Cook University (Singapore Campus) – shares how his passion for aquaculture has grown alongside th...

How has the perception of mental health changed over the years? Are we more ready to speak up about mental health today? What’s stopping men from asking for help? In this episode, Dr Victor Wong, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and Manager of the Psychology Clinic at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), shares his observations.  This episode’s host: Dr Lucy Tan , Associate Professor in Clinic...

In this episode, Dr Frederick Low, Associate Professor in Counselling at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), speaks about parenting and mental health. He shares about how parents can better understand and support their children’s emotional well-being, manage academic stress, and create safe spaces for resilience to grow – while also taking care of themselves along the way. This episode’s hos...

Our guest for this episode is Fazal Bahardeen, Founder and CEO of CrescentRating, a global authority on halal-friendly travel; and CEO of HalalTrip, a platform and app that seeks to inspire and enable Muslim travel planning and on-trip support. Mr Bahardeen shares about his career journey, the evolution of halal tourism, and what lies ahead for this growing sector. This episode’s host: Dr Nurhafih...

In this episode of JCU Conversations, Ms Quah Ley Hoon – Group Chief Corporate Officer at CapitaLand Investment – shares her views on adapting to change, staying curious, and leading through uncertainty. From her transition out of public service to embracing innovation in the private sector, she talks about learning new ways of working, building and sustaining a strong organisational culture, and...

The Australian Chamber of Commerce, Singapore has stood the test of time, even in the face of global disruptions. How did the organisation adapt during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and what lessons has it carried into a new business era? In this episode, we speak with Scott Speedie and Chris Coburn, two of AustCham’s longest-serving Board members who recently concluded their leadership ten...

Gender equality. How is Singapore doing? What’s enough, and when is it too much? Can the gender pay gap be closed? And how can we shift society’s mindset in terms of gender norms? Ms Koh Yan Ping, CEO at the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations, sits down with us to chat about pressing topics surrounding gender equality, workplace equity, ageism and the road ahead for a more inclusive Singap...

Business transformation, digitalisation, change management and more. In this episode of JCU Conversations, we sit down with Mr Lee Tze Shiong, Director at CLA Global TS, one of the top ten largest public accounting and audit firms in Singapore. With over 30 years of experience spanning audit, advisory, business transformation, and regulatory leadership, he brings a wealth of insights on navigating...

CEO, board director, advisor to fellow CEOs, professional speaker, avid sportswoman and more – Su-Yen Wong is a force to be reckoned with. Su-Yen is also Chair of the Board at James Cook University in Singapore, and in this episode, she sits down with our Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Carole-Anne Upton for a candid chat about her career and how she makes it all work – with both her professional...

We’ve heard a lot about workplace well-being, work-life balance remote working and more in recent years. But what if we look at it from the lens of research? Find out more from our Psychology lecturer Dr Sherry Aw, who specialises in research topics such as employee well-being, empathy and emotions, managing work-family life and remote work. This episode’s host: Janlyn, President of the Psychology...

Join us as we chat with Mr Kau Yi Ming, Venture Partner at Krux Asia and Managing Director at Orative Technologies Mr. Kau takes us through his career journey from the military to the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and paying it forward as an angel investor and venture partner. In this episode, he shares about one of his greatest achievements and passions: driving digital transformation in org...

In this episode, we chat with Andrea Del Mattea, President Asia Pacific, Microsoft, and advisory board member at James Cook University in Singapore. Andrea reflects on her prolific global career in tech, and shares insights on harnessing artificial intelligence to make a difference and drive inclusivity across the world. She also speaks about her time at James Cook University, where she was awarde...

Ted Howland, Vice President, Group Sustainability at CapitaLand Investment joins us in this episode of JCU Conversations! Mr Howland, a Stanford-trained engineer, shares about how engineering and sustainability work together, the future of sustainability, why he’s optimistic about what’s to come and some surprising fun facts.  This episode’s host: Rachel Ward , Member of the Advisory Board Subcomm...

In June this year, we welcomed our new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Singapore at James Cook University, Professor Carole-Anne Upton. Professor Upton joins us in this episode of JCU Conversations, where she shares about why her career has been full of serendipity, as well as her thoughts on education, the future of learning and more.  This episode’s host: Akshita Bhatia , Student Leader at James Cook Un...

Meet Ms Natasha Syed, Founder and CEO of SkilledIn Green, a talent marketplace that focuses on green skills and careers in sustainability. Natasha pivoted from a conventional 9-to-5 career in banking & finance to follow her passion for entrepreneurship. Join us as she talks about her journey, her commitment to sustainability and more.   This episode’s host: Michelle Thrash , Senior Manager, St...

Change agent and business leader Grace Ho has honed an impressive portfolio over two decades with a career that spans multinational corporations, technology startups, and corporate governance with board roles. She shares insights from her diverse experiences, including business transformation, sustainability, and more. This episode’s host: Philip Forrest AM , Board of Advisors and the Chair of the...

Life has been an exciting adventure for Professor Andreas Lopata, Professor in Biochemistry at the Tropical Futures Institute, James Cook University in Singapore – it sometimes seems like he’s lived many lives over the past few decades! Professor’s Lopata’s education and career have quite literally taken him to unexpected places – from a Business school in Germany, to studying insects in South Afr...

Professor Jason Pomeroy, Founding Principal of Pomeroy Studio and Pomeroy Academy, shares about his forte and passion – sustainable design and architecture, and how it influences his teaching profession, travel experiences and more. This episode’s host: Associate Professor Caroline Wong , Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at James Cook University, Singapore.

Dr Melvin Heng, Executive Director & Group CEO at Thomson Medical, shares about his career journey from medicine to corporate leadership. In this podcast, he talks about balancing business and commercial priorities with healthcare needs and ethical standards, what he loves about what he’s doing today, what he misses most about his time as a medical practitioner and more. This episode’s host: A...