🌐 The Surge in STEM-HSS Collaborations Fueling NUS Research Excellence

At the National University of Singapore (NUS), a remarkable trend is reshaping the research landscape: the steady rise in co-authored publications between Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) researchers and those from Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). This interdisciplinary fusion is not just an academic exercise but a strategic response to complex global challenges that demand integrated perspectives. According to recent NUS reports, the share of such co-authored papers has increased notably over the past five years, reflecting a deliberate push towards holistic problem-solving. This growth underscores NUS's commitment to blending technical innovation with social, ethical, and policy insights, yielding solutions with tangible real-world impact in areas like public health, urban sustainability, and digital governance.

Singapore, as a compact city-state navigating rapid urbanization and technological advancement, provides fertile ground for such collaborations. NUS, ranked among the world's top universities, leverages its position to pioneer this model, where STEM's data-driven tools meet HSS's nuanced understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics. The result? Publications that not only advance knowledge but also inform policy and industry applications, positioning NUS as a leader in Singapore's higher education ecosystem.

Why Interdisciplinary Research is Essential for Modern Challenges

Today's pressing issues—climate resilience, AI ethics, misinformation, and aging populations—transcend disciplinary silos. STEM excels in developing technologies like AI algorithms or sustainable materials, but without HSS input on equity, cultural context, and governance, these innovations risk unintended consequences. At NUS, interdisciplinary research bridges this gap, ensuring solutions are robust, inclusive, and deployable.

Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology), emphasizes: “Many of today’s challenges span technological, social and policy dimensions, and solving them requires integrated perspectives, close cross-disciplinary collaboration, and partnerships that connect research to real-world needs.” This philosophy drives NUS's strategy, where over 70% of publications now involve international collaborators, amplifying the STEM-HSS synergy globally.

NUS Smart Nation Research Cluster: Catalyzing STEM-HSS Synergies

Launched in 2018, the NUS Smart Nation Research Cluster (SNRC) stands as a cornerstone initiative, uniting over 13 research centres and institutes. Housing experts from computing, engineering, social sciences, law, and public policy in the innovation4.0 (i4.0) building, SNRC fosters daily interactions that spark collaborations. Focus areas include AI, cybersecurity, green finance, logistics, and public risk perception—domains where STEM provides the tools and HSS the contextual depth.

The cluster's impact is evident in projects like the Information Gyroscope (iGyro), a five-year programme analyzing online misinformation spread, digital resilience strategies, and global policy responses. By combining computing models with social science analysis, iGyro equips policymakers with evidence-based tools amid rising digital threats.

Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH): A New Frontier

In March 2026, NUS launched the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH), Singapore's first dedicated hub merging AI, data science, and computational methods with HSS. Co-directed by Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli (School of Computing) and Professor Peter Millican (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), CSSH has already initiated over 50 projects involving 105 researchers.

Key projects include AI-driven policy simulations using large language models to test interventions and the Jawi AI Project, which transliterates historical Malay texts for cultural preservation. These efforts exemplify how CSSH accelerates STEM-HSS co-authorships, enabling large-scale analysis of social phenomena like digital platforms' societal effects.Learn more about CSSH's launch

Strategic Funding and Infrastructure Investments

NUS has committed substantial resources to fuel this rise. Since 2021, over S$10 million in seed funding has supported more than 20 interdisciplinary projects, with S$5 million allocated in FY2025 for 19 initiatives prioritizing STEM-HSS teams. Looking ahead, annual S$5 million grants for the next three years will sustain momentum.

• NUS Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAII, 2024): S$20 million to pair AI experts with HSS for applications in healthcare and sustainability.
• NUS Sustainable Futures: Tackling climate challenges through green energy and urban resilience.
• Shared facilities like online equipment databases and national platforms (SingMass, SingaScope).

These investments lower barriers, enabling seamless collaboration and boosting publication outputs.

Real-World Applications: From Lab to Society

The true measure of success lies in impact. The Health District @ Queenstown, a living lab, integrates healthcare, engineering, urban planning, and social sciences, deploying over 200 technologies for healthier aging—such as senior vital sign monitors. Similarly, NAII's work on AI in supply chains optimizes logistics while considering ethical implications.

CSSH's simulations aid policymakers by modeling public responses without costly surveys, while Jawi AI unlocks Singapore's historical archives for broader research. These projects demonstrate how rising co-authorships translate into policy influence, industry adoption, and community benefits.THE on NUS incentives

Educational Reforms Embedding Interdisciplinarity

NUS is nurturing the next generation through structural changes. The College of Humanities and Sciences (2020), College of Design and Engineering (2021), and NUS College (2022) offer shared curricula promoting cross-faculty exposure. Promotion criteria now reward team science, and AI+X hiring initiatives attract hybrid talent.

Students engage in real-world projects, gaining skills for multidisciplinary careers in Singapore's innovation-driven economy.

Challenges, Global Reach, and Future Directions

Despite progress, challenges persist: aligning incentives across disciplines, measuring impact beyond citations, and scaling collaborations. NUS addresses these via shared spaces and funding. With 70%+ international co-authorships, global partnerships amplify reach, as seen in SNRC's work with overseas institutions.

Future plans include deeper STEM-HSS integration, expanded seed funding, and stronger ties with government and industry. Professor Liu Bin envisions: “NUS will further strengthen interdisciplinary platforms that translate research into real-world impact.”

Career Opportunities in NUS's Interdisciplinary Ecosystem

For aspiring researchers, NUS offers fertile ground. Roles in SNRC, CSSH, and NAII blend STEM rigor with HSS depth, ideal for those passionate about impactful science. Singapore's vibrant higher ed scene, bolstered by government support, promises growth in research jobs.

This model not only elevates NUS but inspires Singapore's universities, driving national innovation.

Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash