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Associate Professor

Jean CJ Liu

PhD in Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia
Cluster:
Health and Social Sciences
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Biography

Dr Jean Liu is a psychology professor passionate about solving complex challenges through the use of data. With experience as a former faculty member at Yale-NUS College and consultant for the World Health Organization, she brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical expertise.

Her primary research area focuses on how technological advances - particularly digital devices - affect health and social relationships. Dr Liu has published over 30 academic papers on topics including: how individuals use their phones during meals, how social media relates to mental health, how WhatsApp users transmit health messages, and the adoption of digital contact tracing apps.

She has taught tertiary courses on wellbeing, behavioral science, and online dating, and established a visitor research unit at National Gallery Singapore. This diverse background across health, technology, education, and the arts enables her to address issues at the intersection of these fields.

Throughout her career, Dr Liu has consulted for the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She applies a wide range of research methods - including landscape analysis, data mining, surveys, experience sampling, observations, interviews, focus groups, A/B testing, behavioral science, and psychophysiology - to help organizations solve complex business and policy challenges.

On account of Dr Liu's work, she has engaged with a broad audience including ministers, C-suite leaders, migrant workers, children, and the general public. As an experienced writer and educator, Dr Liu has authored both scholarly papers and children’s books, and regularly contributes to media conversations on digital wellbeing and behavioral science. 

Key public-facing projects include:

  • Hosting the 6-episode TV series "Byte the Habit" on screen use in families (Channel NewsAsia, 2025)
  • Serving as anchor scientist for the on-stage UNTAME shows introducing psychology to high school students (Science Centre, 2024)
  • Contributing to the national screen use guidelines (2023), positive use guide on digital devices (2025), and guidelines on Tier 1 mental wellbeing initiatives (2025)
  • Supporting the roll-out of the World Health Organization's mental health framework for the Western Pacific Region (2022)
  • Developing the sector-wide evaluation toolkit for arts and health interventions (2025)
  • Conducting research on teens' use of AI, digital wellbeing, impact of device use, and migrant worker wellbeing
  • Serving as an expert media commentator on digital wellbeing and behavioral science

SIT Appointments

  • – Present

Education

  • PhD in Psychology
    University of New South Wales , Australia
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Valedictorian)
    University of New South Wales , Australia

Achievements

  • Yale-NUS Teaching Innovation Grant (Psychology in the public)
    –
  • National University of Singapore Teaching Enhancement Grant (The open classroom project)
    –
  • Yale-NUS Teaching Innovation Grant (Developing a psychology and public policy lab)
    –
  • Silver Award for Best Publication from the Annals of the Academy of Medicine
    –
  • Research Training Fellowship from the Social Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School
    –
  • Best Presentation Award from the Social Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School Mini-Symposium
    –
  • Minoru Hokari Memorial Scholarship from the University of New South Wales
    –
  • University International Postgraduate Award from the University of New South Wales
    –
  • University Medal from the University of New South Wales
    –
  • University Literary Award from the University of New South Wales
    –

Professional Memberships

  • Member, Singapore Institute of Directors
    – Present
  • Expert Member, Health Promotion Board (Mental Wellbeing Resource Panel)
    – Present
  • Member, School Advisory Committee (Northland Primary School)
    – Present
  • Board Director, Care Corner Singapore Ltd
    – Present
  • Expert Member, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (Social Mobility Foundation Expert Panel)
    – Present
  • Board Director, I'm Soul Inc
    – Present
  • Council Member, Ministry of Health (Agency for Care Effectiveness)
    –

Corporate Experience

  • Director, Centre for Evidence and Implementation
    –
  • Behavioral Science Advisor, CPF Board
    –
  • Visitor Researcher and Social Impact Strategist, National Gallery Singapore
    –
  • Consultant, World Health Organization (Western Pacific Office)
    –
  • Assistant Professor, Yale-NUS College
    –
  • Research Fellow, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
    –
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Institute of Mental Health (Child Guidance Clinic)
    –
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Research Interests

  • Impact of technology on health and wellbeing

    • Theme 1: Digital well-being – how smartphones can be accommodated within a healthy lifestyle

    • Theme 2: How advances in medical technology (e.g., for organ transplantation) relate to the broader psychosocial context.

    Dr Liu's research addresses both basic science and translational topics, incorporating data from: randomized controlled trials, epidemiological surveys, experience sampling, psychophysiology, smartphone analytics, and behavioural paradigms.

    In recognition of her expertise, Dr Liu has received $2.2 million in research funding (as principal investigator, co-investigator, or collaborator). Dr Liu's research insights have also been discussed in academic conferences, parliament, public forums (e.g., Milken Institute events), and in the media. 

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