Research Projects

Principal Investigator: Dr. Yue Yu 

Objectives:

  • To review and synthesise relevant theories/processes on foundational concepts in CCE.
  • To develop a rigorous and actionable conceptual framework that is a) grounded on philosophical, psychological and educational theories about character and citizenship education; b) informed by latest research across various interrelated disciplines.

Key Findings:

  • The bibliometric review showed that key concepts such as character, well-being, citizenship, virtues, purpose, SECs, identity, relationships, and choices are distributed across several disciplinary clusters but share significant conceptual overlap.
  • Global research related to CCE is dominated by Western models, while Asian perspectives—especially Confucian and communitarian traditions—offer distinct insights into relationality, harmony, and civic responsibility.
  • The broader literature shows that CCE is inherently interdisciplinary. Research in psychology, philosophy, education, and social sciences each contributes essential insights.
  • The framework conceptualises flourishing as both individual and collective, integrating personal well-being, purpose, and identity with relational, moral, and civic dimensions. This reflects Singapore’s communitarian ethos and the CCE2021 emphasis on Identity, Relationships, and Choices.

Publications:

Yu, Y., Choo, S., Gay, N. M., Chua, J., Ng, G. T., Liaw, N., & Tan, O. S. (2025). Bibliometric analyses of the literature related to Character and Citizenship Education (CCE). Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 45(5), 1431–1452.https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2025.2592796
NIE Digital Repository: https://hdl.handle.net/10497/30752

Principal Investigator: A/P Suzanne Choo

Objectives:

  • To understand the factors that contribute to Singapore youths’ identity, values and development of citizenship disposition, and how this identity motivates them in knowing about, feeling and acting for Singapore.

Project ongoing, key findings to be updated.

Principal Investigator: A/P Chua Bee Leng

Objectives:

  • Investigate how pre-service teachers conceptualise and develop efficacy and resilience, particularly through working with professional dilemmas.
  • Explore how identity configurations and personal contexts influence their engagement in identity development.
  • Identify pedagogical scaffolds that best support reflective identity work and the transfer of adaptive coping strategies across settings.

Project ongoing, key findings to be updated.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Melvin Chan

Objectives:

  • To examine how adolescents develop central character strengths, how these dispositions are shaped and cultivated within individual and socio-ecological contexts, and how they are associated with diverse pathways and outcomes.
  • To provide practical insights to inform policy and practice and strengthen understanding of how character education can support the development of intellectually capable and morally grounded young people.


Project ongoing, key findings to be updated.