mR. Ng Jing Yi

Senior Research Officer

“…our work typically involves individuals with learning disabilities and/or challenging behaviours, and I’m really glad that my work has some impact in bettering the lives of those who need more help than I do.”

Tell us about yourself.

I am ORO. Well, besides the bad pun on Groot, some call me the old research officer (or wise… seriously I’m not Yoda) – all in good fun of course! My name’s Jing Yi, and I graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University Singapore. I dropped out of chemical engineering and fell into the fascinating world of the human psyche, and never climbed back up since. Also, I am currently pursuing a part-time Master of Applied Research in Social Science at Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Now who am I? With inspiration from a fellow team mate, I have the INFJ personality, so that’s a quick way to know me! I’m a gamer with a particular preference for turn-based strategy like Civilisations and Fire Emblem. I love coffee, and will refer you to a meta-analysis if you think coffee is bad for health. I’m curious and like novel things, so I tend to order the weirdest sounding thing on the menu when eating out (possibly also because I’m a vegetarian, so when it says Son-in-law Egg I have to know what in the world that is!). My legs go jelly with heights, and I absolutely hate the feeling of dropping, so some might think I hate the outdoors. I guess I’m not a thrill seeker, but I do have a fair bit of wanderlust! I’m somewhat into insurance and financial literacy, and am a proud owner of monthly and yearly expense/savings tracking excel sheets!! I do very much like to solve problems as well, so really, ask me to help with anything!

How long have you worked at Community Psychology Hub? What do you do here?

              By a stroke of luck, I got in right as the research team was established – I’m a Research Officer within the Research Services team, gathering dust since Apr 2016. My role revolves around reviewing, collecting, analysing and communicating data, so as to help policymakers make informed decisions. For example, a simple sounding question like “is this program effective?” gets translated into action through a review of the relevant literature, program logic, implementation, and operationalisation; we then analyse and interpret data collected and communicate the process and findings in a manner most appropriate for our different audiences and stakeholders. Or to my Mandarin speaking uncles and aunties, I do research but not in a lab (I have never successfully explained to them with my limited vocab, like how do I translate program evaluation?).

What do you love most about your work? What are some of the challenges?

              I love the trust and independence afforded to me at work! I have the freedom to do what I think is best for the project, and make adjustments along the way. However, this is often accompanied with a big dollop of uncertainty: Am I doing this right? Is there a better way? Why has there been no update? At first, I found the uncertainty surrounding the various moving pieces really unsettling. But with time, support of colleagues and successful reframing, uncertainty just becomes a source of learning and development as I learn to prioritise. I could create contingency plans and improve the efficiency of processes, all the while picking up new skills!

              Most importantly, I have great colleagues who I can count on when things get tough. Too much data to enter? Not sure how to run an analysis? Need a critical audience for your upcoming presentation? There’s always someone to help! We also go for outings and meals together outside of work, like a random game of laser tag or visit to night safari!

What drives you to do what you do?

Well, I love solving problems, and my work is essentially answering evaluation questions in complex applied settings. In addition to solving problems in the programme, I also get to solve real-life problems that pop up unexpectedly. For example, how am I supposed to account for the impact of renovations on the data collected? It definitely was not planned for, but I love taking a crack at it! More importantly, our work typically involves individuals with learning disabilities and/or challenging behaviours, and I’m really glad that my work has some impact in bettering the lives of those who need more help than I do.

What do you want others to know about CPH?

              We care for ourselves and our clients! That is one of the values at CPH that resonates with me. One of the things that come up when learning psychology is that, social support is crucial to human functioning. This manifests as a culture of support in CPH, and everything you need is one question away (or two, you get pointed in the right direction 😉). Also, we have the monthly Nom Nom Fridays that bring a hearty dose of food and laughter, our Recreational club that takes us on creative bonding activities, a table of tempting snacks that is always magically full from giving colleagues, or just make yourself some V60 pour over coffee and attract the caffeine vultures. 😊

What is one quote you live by?

              According to my best friend Google, I believe it’s this:

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
― Plutarch

            I believe that curiosity is the core of learning, and pain is central to growth. Ignite that spark of curiosity, endure the burning pain that follows, and lift the darkness on the world you have never seen.