Paulin Tay STRAUGHAN
Professor Paulin Straughan is a Professor of Sociology (Practice) at the School of Social Sciences and the former Dean of Students(2017 - 2025) at the Singapore Management University. She is also the Director of the Centre for Research on Successful Aging (ROSA). She received the Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Singapore in 1985, the Masters of Arts (1988) and PhD (1991) from University of Virginia, USA. Her research activities focus largely on Sociology of health; well-being and Ageing, and work and Family. She is Principal Investigator (PI) of four projects which have been awarded more than S$10 million by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Social Affairs (MSF) and AI Singapore, from 2018-2022. She was was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2009 to 2011, during which she argued for work-life balance and the nurture of a more pro-family social environment.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Virginia, 1991
- MA, University of Virginia, 1988
- BA, National University of Singapore, 1985
Research Interests
- Family (Marriage & parenthood; Fertility patterns; Courtship)
- Medical sociology (Childhood obesity; Preventive health behaviour; Successful ageing; Infectious diseases)
- Sociology of work & organizational behaviour (Flexiwork arrangements)
- Ageing (Successful ageing, health, retirement)
Course(s) Taught in SMU
- Research Methods in Sociology and Political Science
- Medical Sociology
Related Links
Podcast:
Public Cleanliness And Our Well-Being
Research Video:
Successful Ageing: Perception and Attitudes
Research Areas and Areas of Expertise
Strategic Priorities
HighlightsRecognised for bridging rigorous social research with policy and community impact, Straughan’s work has informed national strategies on ageing, health, and family; she is a sought-after commentator and advisor whose research translates into actionable insights for government, media, and the public, consistently advocating for evidence-based, inclusive, and sustainable social policies.
Focused research areas include Social determinants of health and ageing; preventive health behaviours; resilience and well-being in older adults; family dynamics and fertility; social integration and support networks; public cleanliness and civic engagement; survey methodology and social statistics.
- Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), PI (Project Level): Paulin Tay STRAUGHAN, 2023, S$11,240
- Understanding Emerging Trends of Care Communities for Singapore Residents Aged 50 - 76, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), PI (Project Level): Paulin Tay STRAUGHAN, Co-PI (Project Level): William TOV, 2023, S$7,800
- Understanding Emerging Trends of Care Communities for Singapore Residents Aged 50 - 76, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), PI (Project Level): Paulin Tay STRAUGHAN, Co-PI (Project Level): William TOV, 2022, S$235,000
- Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), PI (Project Level): Paulin Tay STRAUGHAN, 2022, S$546,390
- Singapore Future Resilience Index 2022 For Singapore Residents Aged 25 to 76, Income Insurance Limited, PI (Project Level): Paulin Tay STRAUGHAN, 2022, S$55,600
Showing up to 6 latest publications from the past 5 years.
- KHT Salai, YW Tan, G Cheong, P StraughanHealthcare 14 (5), 629, 2026
- WMR Choo, LK Lau, LLG Cheong, CSM Tan, W Tov, P Straughan, ...Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research 29 (4), 450, 2025
- JH Fong, P StraughanJournal of Aging & Social Policy 37 (3), 432-450, 2025
- G Cheong, W Tov, RWM Choo, M Tan, LK Lau, WS Lim, YY Ding, ...The Journal of nutrition, health and aging 29 (5), 100524, 2025
- P Straughan, YW Tan, Z Tiew, Z Zheng, R Ngu, WT HiahPopulations 1 (2), 7, 2025
- M Tan, P StraughanInnovation in Aging 8 (Suppl 1), 727, 2024
Professor Paulin Straughan is a Professor of Sociology (Practice) at the School of Social Sciences and the former Dean of Students(2017 - 2025) at the Singapore Management University. She is also the Director of the Centre for Research on Successful Aging (ROSA). She received the Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Singapore in 1985, the Masters of Arts (1988) and PhD (1991) from University of Virginia, USA. Her research activities focus largely on Sociology of health; well-being and Ageing, and work and Family. She is Principal Investigator (PI) of four projects which have been awarded more than S$10 million by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Social Affairs (MSF) and AI Singapore, from 2018-2022. She was was a Nominated Member of Parliament from 2009 to 2011, during which she argued for work-life balance and the nurture of a more pro-family social environment.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Virginia, 1991
- MA, University of Virginia, 1988
- BA, National University of Singapore, 1985
Research Interests
- Family (Marriage & parenthood; Fertility patterns; Courtship)
- Medical sociology (Childhood obesity; Preventive health behaviour; Successful ageing; Infectious diseases)
- Sociology of work & organizational behaviour (Flexiwork arrangements)
- Ageing (Successful ageing, health, retirement)
Course(s) Taught in SMU
- Research Methods in Sociology and Political Science
- Medical Sociology
