NISTH Think Out: Debate Series

In this episode of the NISTH ThinkOut Podcast, we (Assoc Prof Sulfikar Amir), meets with Professor Benjamin Horton, a Leading Voice in Climate Change Research and Advocacy.  He is the Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and a Professor at the Asian School of the Environment, NTU.Beyond his scientific contributions, Prof. Horton is an outspoken advocate for addressing climate change on a global scale. He recognizes the urgency of the issue and actively engages in public outreach and education efforts. Through public lectures, media appearances, and collaborations with policymakers, he strives to raise awareness about the gravity of climate change and the need for immediate action. Prof. Horton's expertise and passion make him a compelling voice in the fight against climate change. He shares with us, not only his journey thus far but also his unwavering dedication to understanding the complex dynamics of climate change and its consequences on coastal areas has established him as a leading authority in the field.

NISTH Societal Fellow, Dr Nurul Amillin Hussain in conversation with Michael Fam Chair Professor at NTU, Prof. William Chen.NISTH ThinkOut Podcast on 'Food for thought', is an insightful discussion between the newest NISTH Fellow, Assoc Prof Nurul Amillin Hussain and Prof William Chen.  Prof. Chen is a distinguished academic and the Michael Fam Chair Professor at NTU. He has been the Director of the NTU Food Science and Technology Programme since 2002. Prof. Chen is a renowned expert in food science and technology, and his research has made significant contributions to the field. Prof Chen, highlighted that Food is not only a necessity for survival but also an integral part of our culture, social interactions, and enjoyment of life.  Focusing on the development of novel food processing techniques, food safety, and quality enhancement, he has enabled collaborations with the food industry, government agencies, and non-governmental and international organizations, helping to keep the Singapore innovation integrated with the larger world.  He mentioned that the food waste generated on a daily basis is fairly large and stressed that food waste management is crucial and must be dealt with upfront.  Making food availability, access, utilisation and stability, are imperative for future generational sustenance. He believes that it is a collective effort to enhance our food security, and we must rally support toward local suppliers and producers to keep Singapore sustainable.

This episode of the NISTH ThinkOut Podcast dives into the influence of AI on various aspects of our lives and if we can control its growing dominance.  Our host, Assoc Prof Sulfikar Amir speaks to Dame Wendy Hall, about the discovery of the world wide web and its growth over the last 3 decades.  The onset of AI and most recently ChatGpt has opened the Pandora's box with regards to governance and control.  Can we control AI? If yes, how? Hear all about it!

For those of you who are familiar with our monthly debate series, this is a new variation, the ThinkOut Podcast series, which seeks to dwell deep into the personal journey, research and future progress of leading researchers and academics, industry experts and societal influencers, to better understand the motivations and prospects of their field of study and how it impacts society.In this inaugural episode, we meet with Prof Lam Kwok Yan.  Professor Lam is a renowned Cyber Security researcher and practitioner. He is currently the Associate Vice President (Strategy and Partnerships) and Professor in the School of Computer Science and Engineering, here at NTU.   He is the Director of the Strategic Centre for Research in Privacy-Preserving Technologies and Systems (SCRiPTS), and Director of NTU’s SPIRIT Smart Nation Research Centre. From August 2020, Professor Lam is also on part-time secondment to the INTERPOL as a Consultant at Cyber and New Technology Innovation.  Last but not least, Prof Lam is the Executive Director of the National Centre for Research in Digital Trust (DTC), which is our topic of focus today.

In the age of technology, it is no secret that our health has become inseparably intertwined with the technology that surrounds us. Biomedical technology has seen an exponential rate of growth in the past decades, extending life expectancies, combating illnesses, and generally improving the quality of our lives. Indeed, the development of medical treatments and therapies through technological advancements have unequivocally ameliorated all aspects of healthcare.Treatment, however, is but one purpose of medical advancement. On the other hand, enhancement is an oft-neglected outcome from medical advancement. Where treatment refers to curing – or otherwise solving – illness, enhancement looks at the prospect of augmenting the human body towards greater ends; to make the human body less susceptible to disease, or to increase athletic performance to overcome our natural boundaries.Following a well-received inaugural instalment of NISTH’s Medical ThinkOut, NISTH is proud to present its next exciting medical webinar on the topic of Being Future Fit: Is Gene Editing the Answer?In this webinar, distinguished professors Julian Savulescu and Peter Dröge will speak on the ethics of gene editing towards the purpose of human augmentation. In doing so, we anticipate a lively discussion on the plausibility and indeed permissibility of gene editing to prepare future generations of humans for the challenges of the future. With modern breakthroughs in medical innovation, for example, can we genetically predispose our children away from certain diseases? Or can we completely eradicate illnesses from humanity by altering our genetic makeup to prevent these illnesses from afflicting humans altogether? If the answer to these questions is in the present state of science, the question remains if we should do so. Are there possible negative implications to consider, and if so, how should we navigate them?

Robots have become an integral part of our lives, interacting with us, directly or indirectly. The pandemic has increased our dependence and acceptance of robots in our daily lives. From bringing us to our tables at restaurants to allowing for touch-free elevator buttons, the robotic technology has made some of our activities seamless and less labor intensive. This ThinkOut, seeks to highlight the role of Robots in society and how popular culture, especially the movies, have played a big role in influencing our perception of robots and the technology behind it. Dr Wong Choon Yue, will showcase the technology involved, the need for and the vast applications that humanoid research plays in the betterment of society. Dr Kevin Chew, on the other hand emphasises that the portrayal of Robots in the movies influences perceptions and at times creates social apprehension. The session will be moderated by Asst Prof Andrew Prahl, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information and Prof Vanessa Evers, Professor of Computer Science and Director of NISTH.

The NISTH Medical ThinkOut, is a series of healthcare-centred expert discussions on a wide range of topics, from the crossroads of medical science and all other disciplines, addressing global issues.The inaugural ThinkOut, seeks to delve into the field of Microplastics and how it is affecting our health, directly or indirectly and what kind of technology is being developed to help with the adverse effects. Prof Shane Snyder, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and is the Executive Director of the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) will bring the technological aspect to the conversation while Prof Sunny Wong, clinician-scientist and an Associate Professor at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCM), NTU, will highlight the medical impacts of microplastics on human health. The session will be moderated by Prof Lim Kah Leong, Professor and Vice Dean (Research) and President’s Chair in Translational Neuroscience at LKCM, NTU and Prof Vanessa Evers, Professor of Computer Science at NTU and the Director of NISTH.

Complex Systems span a wide range of different application areas but exhibit common systemic behaviours that emerge through the interactions of simple elements. This systemic behaviour can only be understood by holistic analysis that necessitates viewing the system as a dynamic collective of individuals. In this talk I’ll explain and demonstrates ways in which complex systems models can be applied to reason about social systems, and how these models can be used to reason about policy.  In this talk I’ll focus on one area, that of school segregation. The issue of segregation in education can be (and has been) examined from both the individual level (e.g., parent surveys, choice analysis, etc.) or from macro-level statistics (e.g., changes in segregation level, region, city or national level). The uniqueness of a complexity science approach is the ability to connect these two levels and perhaps demonstrate that seemingly innocuous changes in individual behaviour or societal context can lead to drastic change in macro level dynamics. In this talk I will describe our approach to understanding segregation in the compass project (https://www.compass-project.nl/), working with the inspectorate of education and the city of Amsterdam, we are developing agent-based models to analyse the process of school segregation.SPEAKER BIOGRAPHYMichael Lees is an associate professor at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) where he leads the Computational Science Lab (https://uva.computationalscience.nl) in the Informatics Institute. He is also a Principal Investigator for Complex Systems at the UvA Institute of Advanced Study (https://ias.uva.nl).  His research is driven by scientific challenges in the area of social-urban complex systems. The fundamental challenge in this area is how to map social technical and natural phenomena into scalable and predictive computational models that can help develop and test interventions. In order to address this fundamental challenge my research aims to develop novel methods in agent-based modelling (modelling methodology) and discrete-event simulation (computation execution). This includes methods for semi-automatic model construction, modelling formalisms that are able to capture human behaviour and new ways to probe and measure social-urban systems to be able to validate and calibrate such models.

What is Climate Science?  Why is it important? How do we effectively communicate it to future generations?Climate Science investigates the structure and dynamics of the earth’s climate system. It seeks to understand how global, regional, and local climates are maintained as well as the processes by which they change over time (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).  Its focus is broader than just environmental impacts, it encompasses economic, social, environmental, and psychological issues that need to be addressed to ensure the quality of life.The future citizens and leaders, the young people, are to be included in conversations and action plans concerning climate change.  This group will be the ones who bear the consequences of our current actions in dealing with this global issue.  To be effective in passing this message forward, It is best to primarily understand how the younger generation relates to and communicates climate change in various scenarios and contexts.At what age should parents, teachers, and caregivers engage in constructive conversations on climate and sustainability in general? How can the government, politicians, and media, contribute toward painting an optimistic future, but be forthcoming and transparent on the consequences of current actions?  How can misinformation minimizing or denying climate change be countered? On the other hand, the bleak and pessimistic perspective showcased in discussions, in the media, and by role models can lead to a sense of hopelessness and helplessness among the young. They may cope with such information in different ways, for instance, by distancing themselves from the negative triggers, underscoring the issue, joining interest groups, or backing and supporting social leaders fighting for the cause.  Thus, it is imperative, to consider the emotional reaction and coping strategies that young people resort to, to handle climate-related informationThe terms, carbon emissions, recycling, and solar panels, are synonymous to Climate Science.  But, what do they mean to young people?  How can one effectively promote understanding and knowledge, and engage in developing concern for the future?  How to effectively communicate sustainability without ‘freaking’ them out. What does psychological science tell us about helping people through adversities and influencing young people toward positive actions?. Join our panellists Prof Benjamin Horton (EOS, NTU) and Asst Prof Yong MingLee (NIE, NTU) as they discuss, these questions and more on the topic, ‘Communicating Climate Science: the impact on young people’.  Prof Horton, well-reputed in the area of climate change, will highlight the importance of communicating sustainability science to the future generation, while Asst Prof Yong, will focus on the various aspects that need to be kept in mind to be effective in communicating such information to young people so as not to evoke negative responses.  The session will be moderated by Prof Vanessa Evers (Director, NISTH) and Asst Prof Andrew Prahl (WKW, NTU).

What if your virtual self was authentically you? Extimacy is a concept defined as externalized intimacy — showing how one feels on the inside to the external world.  Extimacy is  expressive wearable technology whereas biosensors monitor physiological states and translate feelings into visual, auditory, and or tactile displays. Embedded in fashion, this bioresponsive interface “gives the body a voice” as it offers tangible biofeedback to inspire interaction.  The fundamental emotive language is socially dynamic to enhance interpersonal relationships, mediate empathy and ultimately embody greater self awareness. In the MetaVerse, extimacy mediates mood to offer heightened intimacy and personalization for avatars. Infusing self expression in the virtual world has potential to create more cohesive and embodied experiences.About the SpeakerKristin Neidlinger – Biomedia designer. Founder of SENSOREE – designs bioresponsive fashion to promote extimacy, externalized intimacy. With a background in dance, theatre, and in physical therapies as a Dance Medicine Specialist, she endeavors to craft phenomenal technology to enhance and expand physical embodiment. SENSOREE Therapeutic Biomedia stemmed from her masters thesis, a future speculation of healthcare to augment Sensory Processing Disorder, a condition which ranges from ADHD to Autism. She is currently conducting research as a PhD candidate in HMI, eHealth, and robotics at UTwente, NL. She is honored to have presented works at technology and healthcare conferences, in fashion shows, museums, and future visionary platforms including Keynote Maker at Tribeca Film Festival as well as TEDMED.

The experiential poetics of “wearable music” offers a body-centric motivation of playfulness and wonder that contrasts with traditional discourses of control and mastery. Wearable music invigorates the possibilities for creating less spatially bounded and less individualistic, collaborative, room-scale musical instruments, fostering participatory technocultures in which participants adapt wearable technologies through joyful and embodied processual design. This playfulness can also be reflected back onto traditional musical practices, such as playing the violin, via novel tangible interfaces that transform and depolarize them, opening up new domains of collaborative sensemaking.In this talk, I discuss how to bridge the experience of the blurring of corporeal boundaries in live performance with the domain of wearable computing. I consider workshopping collectively playable instruments, telematic wearable music, a wearable music project for students with disabilities, and a new community project for violinists using novel transacoustic technology.About the SpeakerDr. Seth D. Thorn is an American violinist whose research encompasses interaction design and philosophical approaches to computational media. His work interrogates normativity and cognitivism in HCI through a variety of computational tools and theoretical perspectives informed by sound and music techniques. Dr. Thorn brings the familiar experience of the blurring of certain corporeal boundaries in embodied performance, augmented with adapted real-time computational media, into dialogue with philosophical studies on materialism, assemblage theory, affect, relation, individuation, and neurodiversity, and bridges these studies into concrete social impact to increase diversity, participation, and inclusion in computing. He teaches in the School of Arts, Media and Engineering (AME) at Arizona State University.

The Interactive Organisms Lab leads new explorations of organisms-device symbiosis by blurring the lines between living forms, design, and technology. This talk will present novel interfaces in/around the skin such as  Beauty Technology (electronics embedded into cosmetics), Body Modification Technologies (biosensors into tattoos or dental orthodontics for health monitoring), and Growable Interfaces (sustainable interfaces through bio-based materials as a substrate for circuitry such as mycelium for wearables and interactive objects).About the SpeakerKatia Vega is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Design at the University of California, Davis, where she founded and directs the Interactive Organisms Lab. She was a Postdoc Associate at MIT Media Lab (USA). She got her PhD and master’s degree in computer science at PUC-Rio (Brazil). She was a researcher in the Fine Arts Department at HKBU (Hong Kong). Her undergraduate studies were done in Computer Science at UNMSM (Peru). She publishes at top-tier computer science conferences and journals including CHI, TEI, DIS, IUI and IEEE Computer. Her work has been featured by BBC, New Scientist, Wired, Discovery, CNN,, and awarded by SXSW, Ars Electronica, Johnson & Johnson, CNET, among others.  Springer published her book: “Beauty Technology: Designing Seamless Interfaces for Wearable Computing”.

Can you guess one truth against the two lies in this talk title? [Spoilers ahead] The meatverse may have become enamored with the concept of the metaverse during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the term “metaverse” is three decades old and the concept even older. What is so meta-different now? Do we finally have access to an interconnected universe of immersive virtual worlds powered by decentralized platforms that facilitate private ownership over digital goods!? No! Can we teach classes in virtual reality headsets? Yes, and I did so for the first time in spring 2022! Does this mean the end of the Zoom fatigue era? Maybe, but unlikely! During this talk, I will describe my VR class, my recent research on perceptions of the metaverse, and my research on zoom fatigue as an issue of gender and racial equity. I will connect these studies to questions about how avatars may serve as an important facet of improving equity and inclusion in virtual meetings, particularly through the Proteus effect (the phenomenon that people conform behaviorally to their avatars’ identity characteristics).About the SpeakerRabindra (Robby) Ratan is Associate Professor and AT&T Scholar at Michigan State University’s Department of Media and Information as well as Director of the Social and Psychological Approaches to Research on Technology-Interaction Effects (SPARTIE) Lab. Dr. Ratan conducts research on the effects of human-technology interaction, focusing on how media technologies (e.g., avatars, agents) influence meaningful outcomes (e.g., equity, inclusion, motivation) across societal contexts (e.g., education, health, business). He is particularly interested in the Proteus effect (i.e., avatar characteristics influencing user behaviors), artificial social agents, virtual meetings, the metaverse, and toxicity in online gaming. Dr. Ratan has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles, has been awarded over $2M in grant funding, and has received multiple teaching awards. He also hosts SpartieCast, his lab’s podcast, and regularly contributes articles to TheConversation.com.

Metaverse is the internet built by game developers. – Ryan Gill (Co-Founder & CEO, Crucible)So, is the Metaverse a big game room?  Will it be a passing fancy, a new form of entertainment or will it change the world of communication and interaction?Well, the Metaverse or the Web 3.0, is defined as a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection (Wikipedia). More plainly, in the metaverse, individuals interact using virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR respectively) technologies to share experiences in a common space.  Instead of reading information on web pages (Web 1.0) or using interactive web pages (Web 2.0), one can now virtually immerse themselves into it.The lack of human contact, that we crave in our ‘new normal’ digital interactions and remote communications will become a thing of the past.  The Metaverse will provide for alternate reality spaces where you can shop, play games, meet people, own places and pets.  This digital escape, with enhanced brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, will enrich our social media experience into a 360 degree one, provide new avenues for businesses, create a valuable virtual economy, and slowly but steadily replace most human experiences.While it sounds like a utopia of sorts, it also comes with its own baggage.  The impact it will have on emotional, mental, and physical health of individuals, value of human relations and society, the privacy and security issues that evolve and the disconnect from real-life experience are of paramount concern.  So, will the Metaverse change our lives for the better or make it worse?Join our panelists Assoc Prof Vivian Chen (WKW, NTU) and Assoc Prof Cai Yiyu (Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, NTU) as they discuss, the topic, ‘Metaverse, for the better or worse?’ from two different viewpoints.  Prof Chen will examine the psycho-social impact on human interactions and communication while Prof Cai, will give us a more in-depth view of the technology used and that which is being developed to make this new alternate universe more interactive. The session will be moderated by Prof Vanessa Evers (Director, NISTH) and Assoc Prof Hallam Stevens (Assoc Director, NISTH).

Is the Holy Grail of modern medicine, Genomics?Genomics is the study of all of a person’s genes (the genome), including interactions of those genes with each other and with the person’s environment*. While it has significantly altered the way researchers, scientists and clinicians develop diagnostics, therapeutic strategies and treatment options, it has also raised a the concern of inequality.Lineage, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status have always incited disparities in health care.  With the increased application of technology in healthcare, is Genomics the new perpetrator? Just as AI bias in facial recognition highlights the unregulated autonomy exerted by new technologies, is the genetic clustering of populations to identify disease-linked biomarkers benefiting only the focus group represented in the databases? There is no doubt that the application of genomic testing has helped further precision and personalized treatment of patients.  It has provided avenues to innovative approaches to achieve clinical efficacy.  However has there been enough emphasis put on inclusive representation when databases are built?Join our panelists Assoc Prof Joanne Ngeow (Clinician, LKC, NTU) and Asst Prof Ian McGonigle (Social Anthropologist, HASS, NTU) as they discuss, the many implications of ‘Genomics and the New Inequalities’.  The session will be moderated by Prof Vanessa Evers (Director, NISTH) and Assoc Prof Hallam Stevens (Assoc Director, NISTH).*https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/A-Brief-Guide-to-Genomics

With the extensive use of social media platforms, most if not all of our online activity/content is subject to algorithms managed by a few key players.  Algorithms are shaped based on our search results and browsing history.  It has been found that online content has caused offline harm in many occasions, from the Myanmar coup to the riot at the US Capitol.  Aside from political controversies, Frances Haugen’s testimony has made it evident that ‘amplification algorithms’ and ‘engagement based ranking’ affects human behavior and encourages destructive content.Another example of such impact has been the increase in ‘tic-like’ behavior in Tik Tok users. Are these harms outweighed by the benefits we gain from them? Is it really algorithms that are the problem, or is it the way they are being used or something else? What should we be doing about this? Is the answer regulation? Join us to find answers to these questions.NISTH Fellows, Prof Boh Wai Fong (Nanyang Business School) and Assoc Prof Andres Carlos Luco (School of Humanities) discuss the impact of algorithms directly or indirectly that affect human behavior and society at large. The session is moderated by Assoc Prof Hallam Stevens and Prof Vanessa Evers, from NISTH.

Pandemics have pushed societies to change and adapt to ‘new normals,’ reshaping the use of  existing spaces and in (re-)creating new ones.  For example, after the cholera outbreak in the 19th century, London cleaned up the Thames and built sewer networks and outdoor public spaces. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is unlikely to be the last pandemic. What can we learn from the present pandemic about how to make our living and working spaces more resilient to future pandemics?Our physical living settings have been repurposed over the last year to become more mobile, modular and adaptive to the outbreak especially with regards to management measures (quarantine facilities, vaccination centres).  Our homes, have to be re-configured to accommodate work and school activities.  The long lockdowns have brought about creative and innovate ways to divide and use spaces without constructing walls and has introduced new designs that allow smooth and easy flow of human traffic with minimum need to touch surfaces (automated doors, taps, etc,.). However, working remotely without physical collaboration and social interaction will not last forever. Digital work still cannot completely replace physical presence.  “The human-physical interaction cannot be digitized”. Is there a long-term solution? How do we choose current space, location and logistics to minimise the impact of the new normal?Our panellists Asst Prof Felicity Chan and Assoc Prof Georgios Christopoulos will discuss the topic, ‘Covid-19: Emerging designs for resilient homes, offices, cities’.  The session will be moderated by Prof Vanessa Evers and Assoc Prof Hallam Stevens.

Genomic Citizenship, The Molecularization of Identity in the Contemporary Middle East, is an anthropological study based on ethnographic work in Israel and Qatar, and explores the relationship between science, particularly genetics, and national identity. NISTH Fellow and Author, Asst Prof Ian McGonigle will discuss how he came to the topic, his research and also how genomic citizenship relates to Singapore.More details on the Author and the Book: https://bit.ly/GC15Sept21

No vaccine is a 100% effective against a said infectious disease. High vaccine uptake helps to achieve community-level immunity and significantly lowers the risk of disease. However, there is always a small percentage of the population who are vaccine hesitant and become a potential impediment to widespread community uptake.Attitudes towards vaccinations are a function of the information available with on the vaccine’s attributes: efficacy, the incidence of side effects, manufacturers’ reputation, and government approval, policy interventions and finally, the sheer willingness to be vaccinated. With information playing a vital role in this decision process, it is imperative to keep it accurate and factual.The inherent desire of humankind to learn, share and accumulate knowledge drives innovation in science and technologies. However, research methodology and interpretation of scientific findings might be challenging for a layman with non-scientific background to understand, especially when delivered through the prism of emotions. When we speak about misinformation, we immediately relate it to the effect of popular and social media and most often overlook scientific enterprise that faces the equivalent issue –hype and hyperbole, that became evident during COVID-19. Publication bias and cherry-picking of results, citation misdirection, predatory publishing, filter bubbles and echo chambers imposed by social media have led to many a misinformed person. This misinformation changes people’s perception towards vaccines and disease control.This panel will discuss how peoples attitudes toward vaccines are affected by misinformation. Dr David Lye will give us the medical perspective to the issue while Dr Edson Tandoc will bring forth the social impact this has on the attitudes toward vaccines.

This debate is jointly organised by NISTH and the DesignLab from the University of Twente (UT), Netherlands. Two UT experts Prof Peter-Paul Verbeek and Dr Sabine E. Wildevuur, will share the stage with Dr Natalie Pang and Assoc Prof Hallam Stevens. Prof Verbeek and Dr Wildevuur will bring the Netherlands perspective while Dr Pang and Prof Stevens share their views from the Singapore standpoint.  The panel will be moderated by NISTH Director, Prof Vanessa Evers.Governments base many of their decisions on scientific advice and scientific research. This does not always result in an adequate representation of the concerns of citizens, as the protests against COVID-19 policies in some countries have shown. To engage citizens more explicitly in policy-making, therefore, citizen science could play an important role. This ‘bottom up’ type of research, in which citizens are actively involved in scientific research, makes sure that citizens are not only represented in the politicians they elect, but also in the research on which politicians base their decisions. This panel will investigate how citizen science and policy-making could come together. How to develop such ecosystems? What are conditions and enablers? And how to learn from intercultural differences?