Cutting Edge Research

From online marketplace behemoths like Amazon, Taobao, Shopee and Lazada, to digitally native, direct-to-consumer brands, e-commerce is a thriving, rapidly burgeoning sector. The exponential growth of online retail has been further fuelled by the pandemic: According to findings from the IBM US Retail Index, Covid-19 has accelerated the move from physical stores to online platforms by about five years.

Wander through a housing estate in Singapore, even in the midst of pandemic restriction measures, and chances are you would find groups of elderly residents mingling at void decks, pavilions, gardens and playgrounds. Loneliness is a feeling experienced by millions across the globe during lockdowns and social distancing initiatives.

The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated countries and individuals around the world. Lives were lost, plans were put on hold, milestones were celebrated in isolation, and a shared sense of loneliness and despair has rippled across the globe. But, as much as we have taken to social media to lament our circumstances — and share our Circuit Breaker baking accomplishments, we have most certainly not suffered equally as a community.

Blockchain technology has been, in recent years, hailed as a breakthrough disruptor, poised to drive innovation in virtually every industry ranging from legacy organisations to game-changing start-ups in the new digital economy. This revolutionary technology stems from the ability of blockchain to act as a decentralised distributed ledger. It promises more secure, real-time transactions and record-keeping, making it harder for important data to be manipulated or falsified.

Ever felt overwhelmed when entering a mega-mall, populated by culinary treats, unbeatable bargains, and trending looks at every price point? Try expanding that smorgasbord of offerings immeasurably, and one could imagine why online shopping is at once a wondrous distraction and a black hole of potential purchases.

Research Projects by SMU School of Social Sciences undergraduates clinch five awards SMU School of Social Sciences (SOSS) students were honoured with five titles at the Student Research Awards (SRA) 2020, which was held online during the pandemic. The awards were clinched by three undergraduates — Nadyanna Binte Mohamed Majeed; Ng Hok Shan, Matthew; and Verity Lua Yu Qing — who submitted their research in the field of Psychology.

As some school and university campuses worldwide begin to re-open, now-familiar precautionary measures such as temperature-taking, hand-sanitising and social distancing have made their way into classrooms and lecture halls. There is also a range of technologies being deployed or proposed to help manage the COVID-19 threat in institutions of learning.