A Convergence of Innovative Ideas - Graduate Research Symposium 2024
The Executive Rooms 1 and 2 in SDE 4 buzzed with intellectual energy as faculty, researchers, and students from NUS and other esteemed institutions of higher learning gathered for the Graduate Research Symposium 2024 on 15 November. The annual symposium, a student-led forum offering junior Ph.D. students an opportunity to showcase their research work, provided a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary discussion and exchange.
The morning began with opening remarks by Professor Jeffrey Hou, Head of the Department, who emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing complex urban challenges. Following this, Dr Sudatta Ray from Yale-NUS College delivered a keynote on clean energy transitions, offering a systems perspective on trade-offs and potential unintended consequences. The first half of the day’s programme featured two parallel sessions: Sustainability and Decarbonisation, moderated by Dr Naomi Hanakata and Human Perception and Behaviour, moderated by Dr Ruzica Bozovic-Stamenovic. These sessions highlighted innovative research avenues, sparking lively debates and insights among presenters and audience members alike.
In the afternoon, Dr Yuan Lai from Tsinghua University delivered a thought-provoking keynote on “Urban Intelligence Towards Techno-Humanistic City Planning,” highlighting how technology can be integrated into human-centered design. Following this, parallel sessions on Urban Planning and Renewal, moderated by Dr Dorothy Tang and Urban Data Analytics, moderated by Dr Jinda Qi, explored topics such as urban regeneration strategies and the role of data-driven methodologies in shaping future cities.
The event concluded with a closing session that gathered Dr Lee Kah Wee, Dr Yuan Lai, Dr Dorothy Tang, Dr Jinda Qi, along with all presenters from both the morning and afternoon sessions. This wrap-up discussion provided an opportunity for participants to revisit key themes, forge connections, and explore potential collaborations. In essence, the symposium reaffirmed the department’s commitment to fostering impactful research and preparing emerging scholars to tackle pressing issues in architecture and urbanism. We express our sincere gratitude to all who participated and eagerly anticipate next year’s event, which promises to be even more impressive and replete with intellectual exchanges.
The programme details can be found here.
