Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Non Profit Experience
Articles And Research Pieces
Activities
Timeline
Generic

P. KEERTHANA

Summary

I am working as a Lecturer at the School of Life Skills and Communication, Singapore Polytechnic. I am also the Founder of GenLab Collective, a non-profit ground-up initiative, focusing on bridging the generation gap between youths and seniors in Singapore through innovative intergenerational programs and activities. I have had 6 years of experience in the public sector, working in various roles such as strategic and corporate planning, behavioural science, research and impact evaluation, social services planning, and grant management.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Lecturer (Design Thinking for Sustainable Innovation)

Singapore Polytechnic
03.2024 - Current
  • Lecturer and Assistant Module Coordinator for Sustainable Innovation Project (SIP), a poly wide module using design thinking principles.
  • Part of the teaching team for life skills and communication modules.

Manager (Social Inclusion)

National Council of Social Service
06.2021 - 02.2024
  • I drove the strategy and implementation plans and support for Caregivers of Persons with Mental Health Conditions as part of my work.
  • This includes research and analysis into key needs and gaps, strategic planning, partnership with key stakeholders in the caregiver space and building the capabilities of Social Service Agencies.
  • I was also an active member of NCSS's Oral History Workgroup where I conducted and lead interviews with distinguished professionals who had contributed to the social services sector, in partnership with the National Archives of Singapore.

Health Policy Analyst

Ministry of Health
06.2019 - 06.2021

As part of the MOH Behavioural Insights Unit (BIU), I nudge behaviours to design more
effective, evidence-based health policies and processes. Applying behavioural insights as
a complementary tools to other regulatory tools and in consideration to overall systems. Some of the key projects I led are:

  • Encouraging Singaporeans to attend health screening on time
  • Encouraging the uptake of Living Donor Kidney Transplant, a project with NUH and NOTU
  • Review of the Advance Care Planning policies and programmes

Manager (Planning and Programmes Development)

Workforce Singapore
11.2017 - 08.2019
  • My role primarily included policy and programme reviews, strategic and corporate planning.
  • The key workstreams I was involved in include a qualitative research study with jobseekers who take a longer placement period, the development and conceptualization of a 5-year strategic plan for the future of workforce and managing a $2 million worth project that oversees the development of a triaging framework at our career centers together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Research Assistant

MOE Psychological Assessment and Research Branch
08.2017 - 10.2017
  • I conducted extensive desktop research and literature reviews on Physical Education Assessment.
  • Evaluated the applicability of best practices to Singapore's context and analysed assessment methods via psychometric analysis.
  • Crafted and conducted a presentation to a team of Physical Education Specialists, along with the Principal and Co Principal Investigator of the study.
  • My findings and research were included into the final report.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

National University of Singapore
08.2016 - 08.2017
  • Converted raw data into graphical formats for research proposals.
  • Facilitated and organised seminars and lectures for Professor in charge.

Corporate Communications Intern

National Population and Talent Division, Prime Minister's Office
01.2017 - 05.2017
  • I conceptualized and generated creative content for population.sg website.
  • I identified suitable interviewees for content creation and conducted interviews with them.
  • Also crafted and conducted an online survey based on user feedback, analysed and synthesised survey results.

Corporate Communications Intern

Energy Market Authority
12.2016 - 01.2017
  • I crafted and conducted a department wide presentation on social media engagement strategies for youths which was endorsed by the management.
  • I analysed social media analytics, resulting in the crafting of a digital analytics audit report.
  • Conceptualised an additional social media content engagement calendar for 2017.

Marketing Intern

World Marketing Group
05.2016 - 07.2016
  • Researched and analysed target markets, resulting in 26 successful business partnerships with reputable corporate organisations such as Changi Airport Group, MINDEF, ASTAR, MSF, KPMG, PwC.

Clerical Officer

02.2013 - 06.2013
  • Provided administrative and logistical support to the team.
  • Facilitated assessment taking by Vice Principals and teachers from MOE.

Education

GRADUATE DIPLOMA - PSYCHOLOGY (BRIDGING)

JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
06.2022

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES - MAJOR IN ECONOMICS WITH SPECIALISATION IN APPLIED AND POLICY ECONOMICS

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
05.2017

Skills

  • Qualitative Research and Analysis
  • Impact evaluation
  • Facilitation
  • Data Analysis
  • Behavioural Science Research
  • Strategic Planning
  • Social Services Planning
  • Coaching
  • Project Management
  • Social Media Marketing

Non Profit Experience

  • Volunteer Lead, GenLab Collective. GenLab Collective is a non-profit ground-up initiative aiming to empower seniors through intergenerational efforts and bi-directional skills sharing. We provide a platform for seniors and youths to share, learn and collaborate with the aim of bridging generation gaps.
  • Panelist, Touch Community Family Conference 2021, 01/01/21, 01/01/21, Shared role as a CHAT Ambassador and insights on transitions faced by youths.
  • Youth Mental Health Ambassador, Community Health Assessment Team, 01/19/19, Present, Led a team of 5 to create an interactive card to promote awareness of youth mental health using the design thinking methodology. Supporting CHAT team with an upcoming qualitative research study.
  • Participate in Design, Volunteer, 01/19/19, Present, Fellow with Participate in Design where I designed and conceptualised a social impact measurement framework for the organization. Co-facilitate workshops and co-creations sessions.
  • Research Volunteer, Beyond Social Services, 08/18/18, Present, Working with the Centre's social worker to conduct evidence-based practice research. Presented 2017 and 2018 parental survey results to Centre staff and proposed recommendations to address challenges.
  • Design thinking volunteer, Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Present, Conducted qualitative fieldwork such as observations and interviews with staff, patients, and caregivers at TTSH. Insights were used to inform the development of the HealthCity Novena Masterplan.
  • Research Volunteer, AWARE, 04/18/18, 03/19/19, Conducted literature scan on international best practices of eldercare facilities/models and presented findings to the research team. Findings were subsequently incorporated into AWARE'S research report.

Articles And Research Pieces

  • Evaluation of the Healthy Start Child Development Centre for Beyond Social Services, I led a research study on behalf of Beyond Social Services to understand the effectiveness of the current programmes and teaching methodologies at HSCDC in partnership with their Principal and Social Worker.
  • Three Strategies to Engage Busy Parents in Surveys, A collaboration with Feedback Labs, an organisation in the US which works with others in the sectors to build incentives that motivate people and organizations to build strong feedback loops.

Activities

  • NUS Toastmasters Club
  • NUS Econeews Student Reporter
  • Fund Raising Director of Project Inspiring India (OCIP)

Timeline

Lecturer (Design Thinking for Sustainable Innovation)

Singapore Polytechnic
03.2024 - Current

Manager (Social Inclusion)

National Council of Social Service
06.2021 - 02.2024

Health Policy Analyst

Ministry of Health
06.2019 - 06.2021

Manager (Planning and Programmes Development)

Workforce Singapore
11.2017 - 08.2019

Research Assistant

MOE Psychological Assessment and Research Branch
08.2017 - 10.2017

Corporate Communications Intern

National Population and Talent Division, Prime Minister's Office
01.2017 - 05.2017

Corporate Communications Intern

Energy Market Authority
12.2016 - 01.2017

Undergraduate Research Assistant

National University of Singapore
08.2016 - 08.2017

Marketing Intern

World Marketing Group
05.2016 - 07.2016

Clerical Officer

02.2013 - 06.2013

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCES - MAJOR IN ECONOMICS WITH SPECIALISATION IN APPLIED AND POLICY ECONOMICS

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

GRADUATE DIPLOMA - PSYCHOLOGY (BRIDGING)

JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY
P. KEERTHANA