SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Gilaine NG
Graduate Instructor
✉️ gilaineng@smu.edu.sg
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
CHUA Beng Huat
Visiting Fellow
✉️ bhchua@smu.edu.sg
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Janet LIM
Fellow
✉️ janetlim@smu.edu.sg
Kenneth BENOIT
Dean, School of Social Sciences
Professor of Computational Social Science
Email: kbenoit@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 1929
Ijlal Naqvi
Associate Professor of Sociology
Associate Dean (Curriculum and Teaching)
Lee Kong Chian Fellow
Email: ijlalnaqvi@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0846
Jacob Ricks
Associate Professor of Political Science
Associate Dean (Research)
Email: jacobricks@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6808 5460
Steven Burik
Associate Professor of Philosophy (Education)
Associate Dean (Student Matters & Alumni Affairs)
Email: stevenburik@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0866
Ms Casiopia Low
Assistant Dean (Administration)
Email: casiopialow@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0831
Ms Rachel Tan
Senior Manager, Research Administration
Email: hmtan@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 1976
Ms Joyee Yan
Senior Manager, Undergraduate Programme Management
Email: joyeeyan@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6808 5152
Ms Tan Lijing
Senior Assistant Manager, Undergraduate Programme Management
Email: ljtan@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0832
Ms Joellen Cheah
Assistant Manager, Programme Administration
Email: joellencheah@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6808 5425
Ms Chermin Ho
Manager, Postgraduate Research Programme Management
Email: cherminho@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0643
Mr Nur Hidayat Bin Samat
Manager, Marketing
Master of Sustainability
Email: hidayats@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6826 1326
Ms Geraldine Teo
Manager, Outreach and Alumni Affairs
Email: geraldineteo@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6808 5443
Ms Cindy Kwoh
Assistant Manager, Events and Administration
Email: cindykwoh@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0835
Ms Jancy Poon
Senior Manager, Faculty and Office Administration
Email: jancypoon@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 0836
Ms Sandra Tan
Manager, Personal Assistant to the Dean
Email: sandratan@smu.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6828 1928
Professor Kenneth Benoit
Professor of Computational Social Science
Dean, School of Social Sciences
Today’s increasingly complex world demands a new generation of Social Science graduates who possess a robust foundation in social science theories and frameworks. More importantly, these graduates need to be versatile in managing complexities and solving problems. The study of social science addresses a wide range of concerns, from the psychological foundations of the individual and group behaviour to the nature of social institutions, to the driving forces of political action.
The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) enables a multi-disciplinary study of Singapore and Asia, and holistically prepares graduates to work across public, private, non-profit and international organisations in areas addressing the numerous challenges facing contemporary society. Our faculty have wide-ranging research interests, covering topics such as subjective well-being, international development, international migration, social networks, ageing, nation building, comparative politics, computational social science and sustainability, offering students opportunities for engaging in research and addressing real-life challenges.
SOSS offers four degree programmes. These are the Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc), the Master of Sustainability (MST) that is co-directed by the College of Integrative Sciences, the Fast Track Master of Philosophy (FTMP) in Psychology and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology.
The BSocSc offers four primary majors – Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, and PLE (Politics, Law and Economics), and three second majors – Sustainable Societies, Public Policy and Public Management, and Global Asia. The curriculum is rigorous yet flexible. You may choose to focus on a single discipline or broaden your perspective by reading one of the many second majors offered by SMU undergraduate schools.
The MST delivers an inter-disciplinary curriculum that prioritises essential skills in sustainability, focusing on reasoning, communication, coordination, and management to prepare graduate students for current and future jobs in the green economy. Through the MST, students will learn about the sustainable use of organisational and natural resources in service of socially equitable outcomes as well as gain familiarity with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the fundamentals of Singapore's Green Plan 2030.
The FTMP in Psychology is a 2-year programme targeting Year 4 SMU undergraduates interested in developing research knowledge and skills—especially those who are considering a PhD in psychology. The FTMP would enable students to earn a master’s in psychology one year after graduating.
The PhD in Psychology is a research programme designed to equip students with doctoral-level knowledge in content areas in psychology and research methodology, focusing on areas in cognitive, cultural, developmental, social, personality, and organizational psychology. PhD students are taught and mentored by a dedicated team of outstanding professors who come from the world’s best universities.
At SOSS, you will not only be equipped with broad-based academic knowledge, but also with analytical and practical skills acquired through hands-on real-life application, industry collaborations, internships, and community projects. This experiential learning experience will empower you to thrive in a variety of vocations. Join SOSS and embark on a journey that is personally transformative and fulfilling. We look forward to having you join our school and together make a meaningful and enduring impact.
Established in 2007, the SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS) aims to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate education expanding SMU’s pedagogical strategy to the study of society, government, and individuals embedded within an increasingly complex world. With faculty expertise and research spanning areas such as psychology, sociology, international development, policy and politics, Southeast Asian studies, social movements, and sustainability, the School aspires to make a significant and lasting contribution across sectors through its integrative approach to the study of social issues.
In particular, SOSS enables a multi-disciplinary study of Singapore and Asia. It holistically prepares graduates to work across public, private, non-profit and international organisations in areas addressing the numerous challenges facing contemporary society. The School offers four degree programmes comprising the Bachelor of Social Science, Fast-track Master of Philosophy in Psychology, and PhD in Psychology as well as the Master of Sustainability that is co-offered with the SMU College of Integrative Studies.
Under the Bachelor of Social Sciences, students are able to major in the main disciplines of Political Science, Psychology or Sociology, or a combined Politics, Law and Economics major. Students are also strongly encouraged to take on a second major either in the Social Sciences or from other Schools. The School offers three second majors -Sustainable Societies (SSOC), Public Policy and Public Management (PPPM), and Global Asia (GA). Eligible students may also read a second degree programme from other Schools to expand their knowledge and gain an extra edge.
The PhD in Psychology programme aims to equip students with doctoral-level knowledge in research methodology and substantive content knowledge in psychology. Our PhD candidates are equipped with critical knowledge and skills to conduct rigorous psychological research, particularly in areas of that span social, cultural, industrial and organisation, cognitive, developmental and evolutionary psychology. The programme emphasises interactive learning and integrative evaluation of diverse perspectives and prepares graduates for psychology-related careers in academia and industry.
SOSS also offers the Fast-Track Master of Philosophy (FTMP) in Psychology for our Psychology undergraduates who will read advance courses in Psychology in their final year of undergraduate studies that would count as credit towards the FTMP (Psychology) and be able to earn a Master’s degree one year after completing their undergraduate studies.
The newly launched Master of Sustainability (MST) is a dynamic programme that draws on the breadth of domains across SMU schools to prepare students for thriving careers in the green economy. The MST programme is the first of its kind in Asia to offer a graduate sustainability programme based on an interdisciplinary curriculum that prioritises essential skills in sustainability, focusing on reasoning, communication, coordination, and management. Through the MST, students will engage in learning about the sustainable use of organisational and natural resources in service of socially equitable outcomes. Students would also gain familiarity with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the fundamentals of Singapore's Green Plan 2030 as well as acquire foundational toolkits that will prepare them for sustainability roles in various sectors.
We welcome you to explore our website to learn more about our programmes, research opportunities, faculty and their research, vibrant student life and activities, and discover for yourself the perks of being part of our SOSS Family!