Derek loves engaging with culture and ideas, and looking at the intersections of things to uncover new insights and solutions. He believes in the power of effective communication in bringing about change.
Before joining CEI, Derek was a project manager at the National Library Board, where he spearheaded a nationwide program aimed at nurturing an informed citizenry. In this role, he curated content, planned programs, and worked in cross-functional teams.
Derek also worked as a secondary school history and literature teacher, conducting dialogic lessons and designing curricula and learning experiences. His analysis of datasets to understand social mixing in schools saw him reach the finals of a Ministry of Education hackathon. He also helped his school visualise and make sense of results from a school-wide wellbeing survey.
Derek brings to CEI robust qualitative research skills, as well as a keen interdisciplinary mind. He has a Masters degree in International Affairs from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (where he was an editor for the Asian Journal of Public Affairs, and a multiple Dean’s lister). He also has a Bachelor of Arts (History) from Yale-NUS College, where he won the award for best capstone in History.