| College of Graduate Research Studies

Read more about Singapore Rising Scholars Conference (SRSC)

The Conference aims to provide a unique opportunity for doctoral students in management and the social sciences to present their latest research, receive constructive feedback from their fellow students, explore new research ideas in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas, and expand their professional and social network.

About the Conference

Singapore Management University (SMU) College of Graduate Research Studies is organising its annual Singapore Rising Scholars Conference (SRSC) on 14 - 15 May 2026 in partnership with SMU Libraries and SAGE Publications.

The Conference which will be held at the SMU Li Ka Shing Library aims to provide a unique opportunity for doctoral students in management and the social sciences to present their latest research, receive constructive feedback from their fellow students, explore new research ideas in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas, and expand their professional and social network.

Conference Goals and Objectives

Facilitate cross-disciplinary exchange of research among doctoral students and promote new research ideas in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas.
Encourage doctoral students to grow their scholarly network and enhance doctoral student life.
Contribute to the research development process of emerging scholars.
Prepare doctoral students for a successful career in one of the top schools in Asia and beyond.

SRSC 2025 Highlights

Check out our 2025 Photos

Conference Fee and Pricing

Registration Type	2-days Conference (14 to 15 May 2026)
Non-SMU Student/ Externals	TBC
SMU Student	TBC
SMU Faculty / By Invitation	Referral Link provided

SMU PhD students enrolled in the Academic Research Programmes can use their CGRS Conference PhD Funding (if there is a remaining balance) to claim for the registration fees after attending the conference.

Students can submit their claims through the Student E-claims System (SES). A step-by-step submission guide on SES can be found here.

Call for Papers

We welcome the submission of any original single-authored and co-authored unpublished, early-stage working papers or work-in-progress papers on the following topics of interest (but not limited to):

Accounting
Economics
Finance
Law
Marketing
Psychology
Operations Management
Management of Information Systems
Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource

We also welcome papers on interdisciplinary topics, including (but not limited to):

Sustainability
Urban Studies
Growth in Asia
Digital Transformation
Computational Social Sciences

Important Notes:

We ask that each student submit only one paper to present at the conference. This will give all applicants a fair chance at attending the conference. Submitting students may also be a co-author on another paper submitted by another student, but each student will only have one opportunity to present.

Presentations are divided into the subject areas and topics listed above. You can choose the area most relevant to your topic. If you are conducting research across multiple disciplines, you can either submit it to an interdisciplinary area, or one of the related disciplinary areas.

Accepted papers will be considered for Best Paper Awards, with a prize of SGD500 each.

Description	Dates
Call for Papers	1 October 2025 onwards
Initial Paper Submission Deadline	1 February 2026
Notification of Acceptance	15 March 2026
Confirmation of Attendance	22 March 2026
Conference	14 -15 May 2026

Submit Your Paper

Programme at a Glance

Detailed Programme will be shared in April 2026.

14 May 2026 (Thursday)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Conference Venue: SMU Li Ka Shing Library [Map]

Time	Session
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Registration & Breakfast
9:00AM - 9:10AM	Welcome & Opening Address Room A
9:10AM - 10:00AM	Keynote Address & Fireside Chat Room A
10:00AM - 10:30AM	Break
10:30AM - 12:00PM	Seminar Room A Breakout Session 1.1 Room B Breakout Session 1.2 Room C Breakout Session 1.3 Room D
12:00PM - 1:30PM	Networking Lunch Room A
1:30PM - 3:00PM	Seminar Room A Breakout Session 2.1 Room B Breakout Session 2.2 Room C Breakout Session 2.3 Room D
3:00PM - 3:30PM	Break
3:30PM - 5:00PM	Seminar Room A Breakout Session 3.1 Room B Breakout Session 3.2 Room C Breakout Session 3.3 Room D

For SMU Alumni, Student, Faculty and Staff

Time	Session
5:30PM - 8:00PM	Graduate Research Alumni Chapter (GRAC) Networking Session Room A

15 May 2026 (Friday)

Time: 8:00AM - 8:00PM
Conference Venue: SMU Li Ka Shing Library [Map]

Time	Session
8:00AM - 9:00AM	Registration & Breakfast
9:00AM - 10:30AM	General Panel Room A Seminar Room C
10:30AM - 11:00AM	Break
11:00AM - 12:30PM	Seminar Room A Breakout Session 4.1 Room B Breakout Session 4.2 Room C Breakout Session 4.3 Room D
12:30PM - 2:00PM	Networking Lunch Room A
2:00PM - 3:30PM	Seminar Room A Breakout Session 5.1 Room B Breakout Session 5.2 Room C Breakout Session 5.3 Room D
3:30PM - 4:00PM	Break
4:00PM - 5:30PM	General Panel Room A
5:30PM - 8:00PM	Rising Scholars Awards Ceremony & Meet-the-Faculty Dinner Reception Room A

Faculty Steering Committee

Professor WANG Heli

Dean, College of Graduate Research Studies
Janice Bellace Professor of Strategic Management
Singapore Management University

Associate Professor FANG Xin

Director, PhD Programmes, Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Associate Professor of Operations Management
MPA Research Fellow
Singapore Management University

Professor Shantanu BHATTACHARYA

Deputy Dean (Education) & Academic Director of PhD in Business (General Management), Lee Kong Chain School of Business
Professor of Operations Management
Singapore Management University

Conference Organising Committee

Overall Staff-in-charge: YEOW Ching Shiong, College of Graduate Research Studies (CGRS)

Secretariat and Administration: Janis WONG, Rosanna Richard SAM (CGRS)

Marketing and Communication: LOH Hui Xian and Casey GRANT (CGRS)

Graduate Research Student Society Executive Committee 2024/25

Getting Here

Conference Venue

Li Ka Shing Library
70 Stamford Rd,
Singapore 178901 [Map]

Nearest Carpark

Lee Kong Chian School of Business,
50 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178899

Directions

Carpark access via Queen Street.
Take the lift to Level 1 to the bottom of Li Ka Shing Library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who is interested in the topics covered in the Conference. As a peer-to-peer academic Conference, the principal audience will be doctoral students.

Yes. It would be TBC.

100% refund for cancellations before 15 April 2026.

50% refund for cancellations from 15 April to 5 May 2026.

No refund after 5 May 2026.

Once the Call for Papers submission is closed, we would not be abl to accept any other submissions. We hope to receive your submission for SRSC the following year if so.

Doctoral students who are interested in the topics covered at the Conference are welcome to attend. Interested attendees from overseas are to take care of their own transport and accommodation arrangements.

This year, the SMU Urban Institute will provide a travel stipend to cover flight and accommodation costs for selected paper presenters in the Urban Studies track. Selected presenters will be notified accordingly. Terms and conditions apply.

SRSC 2026 will be held at the SMU Li Ka Shing Library.

Please email us at cgrs_srsc@smu.edu.sg.

SRSC 2025 Highlights

Stay tuned for more!

Download Prospectus

SMU's postgraduate research programmes have produced cohorts of well-equipped, established researchers and academics. For the full list from each of our Schools, click on any of the icons below to view the full list of graduates from our Academic Research PhD and Master by Research programmes:

Some of our Alumni

The PhD journey at SMU was a catalyst for my intellectual and professional growth. It honed my research skills, fostered a deep understanding of innovation in academia, and prepared me to contribute to the dynamic educational environment at Vin University.

Andrew LE Duy Dung
PhD in Computer Science, 2020

The Doctor of Business Administration programme was invigorating. The faculty members are knowledgeable and insightful, and the exchanges and debates that I had with my fellow coursemates were stimulating! The programme has shaped how I look at the industry that I am in, and what I can do about the challenges it faces. Though the programme was challenging, especially when I had to juggle between my full-time work and the programme, I have no regrets in embarking on this doctoral journey at SMU.

Kevin CHEONG
Doctor of Business Administration, 2019

SMU provided a rigorous and supportive research environment that laid the foundation for my academic career. The mentorship I received from faculty and the structured training in theory, methods, and teaching have been instrumental in preparing me for the multifaceted demands of an academic role.

Junqiu JIANG
PhD in Business (Marketing), 2023

The pursuit of the programme was more than an academic endeavour. It was transformative; challenging me intellectually, fostering personal growth in terms of resiliency and adapting to the demands of a dissertation commitee, most importantly, allowing me to contribute valuable concrete insight into making society better for all.

Leon QIU
PhD in Business (General Management), 2024

My doctoral experience was transformational; it pushed my boundaries of knowledge, critical thinking, resilience and self-discovery. The programme enhances my approach to solution development in the industry.

Nurul Asyikeen AZHAR
Doctor of Engineering, 2024

My PhD journey at SMU was enriched by exceptional research opportunities and the invaluable guidance of dedicated professors, which broadened my academic horizons and laid a solid foundation for my future career in research.

Xuanbo LI
PhD in Accountancy, 2024

My Ph.D. journey at SMU SOE was truly unforgettable, thanks to the supportive faculty members and dedicated staffs. It shaped my research and career path, and inspired me to carry forward the values and passion I found there.

LI Qiyuan
PhD in Economics, 2024

About the Programme

Programme Schedule

About the Programme

Event Date: 11th October 2025
Event Timing: 12pm to 5.45pm
Event Venue: SMU

Discover the different PhD options and pathways of SMU's 7 disciplines within management, social sciences and information technology!

Programme Schedule

Time/Room	Room A	Room B	Room C
12.00pm – 12.45pm	PhD in Economics	Doctor of Engineering
1.00pm – 1.45pm	PhD in Law, Commerce and Technology	PhD in Computer Science and Information Systems
2.00pm – 2.45pm	PhD in Business (General Management) and DBA	PhD in Accounting
3.00pm – 3.45pm	NTU Info Session	NUS Info Session	SUTD Info Session
4.00pm – 4.45pm	PhD in Psychology	PhD in Business (until 5.30pm) i. Strategy & Entrepreneurship ii. Operations Managment iii. Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources iv. Marketing v. Finance
5.00pm – 5.45pm	PhD in Asian Urbanisms

* Accurate as of 29 July 2025

PhD Day 2024 Photos

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Read more about Library Research Seminar Series

SMU Libraries in partnership with CGRS curated a series of research seminars which form part of the foundational research skills and methodology trainings for the doctoral students to embark on their research journey.

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