Stephen Lim

Assoc Prof Dr. Stephen Lim's lab gained international prominence upon discovering and reporting retrieval effects in the learning-by-teaching (LBT) instructional strategy. Within three years, his retrieval hypothesis rose as one of the top three theories driving the entire field of LBT research. Dr. Lim advances a translational educational science at university-, national-, regional-, and international-levels, redefining the concept of teaching excellence and influencing educational practice and policy. Formerly Chair of the NUS Teaching Academy and subsequently Founding President of the Singapore National Academy of Higher Education, he mentors institutions in the Asian Universities Alliance network, and develops teaching academies around the globe.

Dr. Lim has a particular passion for the arts in higher education. Beyond an all-round talent for university administration, research, and education, he is an accomplished musician, as talked about in national news.

Education

University Degrees

• Ph.D. (Experimental Music Psychology), Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, 2005–2010.
• B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) (Psychology), Department of Psychology and University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore, 2001–2005.

University Certificates

• Professional Certificate in General Music Studies, Berklee College of Music, 2021.
• Sponsored by the NUS Teaching Academy Educational Leadership and Lifelong Learning Grant
• International Faculty SoTL Leadership Program: UBC Certificate on Curriculum & Pedagogy in Higher Education, The University of British Columbia, 2015–2016.
• Sponsored by the NUS Office of the Provost

Pre-University

• Raffles Junior College, 1997–1998.
• Raffles Institution, 1993–1996.

Awards

Teaching

• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (FTEA) [AY2019-20], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2020.
• OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD (OEA), National University of Singapore, 2020.
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (FTEA) [AY2018-19], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2019.
• Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA) Honour Roll, National University of Singapore, 2015–2019.
• Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA) [AY2012-13], National University of Singapore, 2014.
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (FTEA) [AY2012-13], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2013.
• Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA) [AY2011-12], National University of Singapore, 2013.
• Special Students' Choice Award [AY2011-12], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2012.
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (FTEA) [AY2011-12], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2012.
• Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA) [AY2010-11], National University of Singapore, 2012.
• Special Critical Thinking Award [AY2010-11], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2011.
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (FTEA) [AY2010-11], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2011.
• Graduate Students' Teaching Award (GSTA) [AY2009-10: Inaugural batch], Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore, 2010.

Research Interests

• Cognition, evolution, and education
• Psychology of music
• The arts in higher education