Professorships Summit

The Professorships Summit is a dynamic plenary session on “The Future of Education and Education Research”, held to commemorate the National Institute of Education’s 75th Anniversary. This summit will convene distinguished academics holding NIE’s named professorships, including the CJ Koh Professorship in Education, the Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professorship in Malay Studies, the Dr Ruth Wong Professorship in Teacher Education, the E.W. Barker Professorship, the Lee Sing Kong Professorship in Early Childhood, and the Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Education. The event underscores NIE's collective journey, shaped by the vision of its pioneering founders, the dedication of educators and researchers, and the vibrant NIE community.

Each professor will share insights from their area of expertise, reflecting the diverse foci of these professorships. Following these presentations, a dialogue will ensue exploring the implications of these varied perspectives for the Singapore and international educational landscapes 

This summit is open to fellow members of the education and research community as well as members of the public. Guests are invited to participate in the conversation by posing questions and sharing comments with members of the panel. 

About the Professorships Summit

Details

Date: 8 October 2025, Wednesday
Time: 2 to 4pm

Professors

CJ Koh Professorship in Education

Professor Chris Chapman, University of Glasglow, Scotland

Professor Chapman FAcSS, FRSE, FRSA is Professor of Educational Policy and Practice at the University of Glasgow. He leads the Economic and Social Research Council/Children’s Neighbourhoods Scotland (ESRC/CNS) legacy project and collaborates with Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) on a Networked Learning System model. As Director of the Network for Social and Educational Equity, he advances research-practice partnerships for equitable education. He also sits on the First Minister’s International Council of Education Advisers.
Arndt Graf Resized
Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professorship in Malay Studies

Professor Arndt Graf, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany

Professor Graf is Inaugural Chair of the Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professorship in Malay Studies at the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and Professor of Southeast Asian Studies at Goethe-University Frankfurt. He leads the Africa’s Asian Options (AFRASO) project and is a renowned expert in Malay and Indonesian languages, literature, and culture. His international work spans leading institutions and includes influential publications and awards recognising his global impact on Malay Studies.
Dr Ruth Wong Professorship

Professor Allison Littlejohn, University College London

Professor Littlejohn is Pro Vice-Provost for the Data Empowered Societies Grand Challenge and Professor of Learning Technology at University College London. Her research explores how digital tools transform professional learning across energy, healthcare, and education, focusing on aligning technology with work practices. She has led over 40 projects, published 300+ works, and currently holds visiting professorships at the Open University, University of Wollongong, and National Institute of Education, Singapore. She previously directed the UCL Knowledge Lab and held senior roles at the Open University, University of Glasgow, and Glasgow Caledonian University.
David Kirk Resized
E.W. Barker Professorship

Professor David Kirk, University of Strathclyde, Glasglow

Professor Kirk is Professor of Education at the University of Strathclyde, specialising in educational innovation, curriculum history, and physical education and sport pedagogy. He is founding editor of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy and editor of Routledge Studies in Physical Education and Youth Sport. He is Honorary Professor of Human Movement Studies at the University of Queensland. His latest co-authored book, Applying Models-based Practice in Physical Education, was published in 2024.
Lee Sing Kong Professorship in Early Childhood

Professor Robert Pianta, School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, USA

Professor Pianta is the Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education, professor of psychology, and founding director of the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on teacher-student relationships and their impact on learning and development. He leads work on measurement tools and interventions used globally to improve teacher-student interactions and continues to consult internationally on early childhood and K–12 education.
Lien Ying Chow Professorship in Education

Professor Meghan Burke, Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University, USA

Professor Burke is a Special Education scholar at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Her research focuses on advocacy, disability policy, and the roles families play in supporting individuals with disabilities—especially in families navigating service systems and siblings transitioning into caregiving roles. She developed several influential advocacy programmes, including the Vanderbilt Kennedy Centre’s Volunteer Advocacy Project, which builds families’ capacity to access disability services. The programme has been replicated in seven U.S. states and is offered in three languages. With over 136 peer-reviewed articles, co-authored texts, and editorial roles, she is a leading contributor to disability and education research, policy and practice.