Message from Programme Director

The Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL) at Singapore Management University (SMU) is a leading institution of legal research and education in the Asia-Pacific region. We have both preeminent law scholars and experienced practitioners in our faculty. Almost all our faculty members have advanced degrees from the top universities in the world including Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge.

The PhD in Law, Commerce & Technology programme at YPHSL is the first of its kind in Asia-Pacific and among a handful of interdisciplinary research doctoral programmes offered by law schools around the world. It is built on YPHSL’s research strengths, particularly in the areas of commercial law, and law and technology. It is also a testament to the distinguished SMU tradition of holistic education. Our PhD in Law, Commerce & Technology programme provides seamless access to academic resources throughout SMU.

Apart from its interdisciplinary nature, this programme is also characterised by an industry-oriented focus. We keep close partnerships with major stakeholders in the legal, finance and technology industries. The research questions to be explored by our students in their PhD dissertations are expected to bear material industrial relevance. Students in our programme are, therefore, strongly encouraged to seek advice from industrial mentors and to participate in industrial activities.

We are committed to training scholars who can, in the future, lead research in law. By integrating the knowledge and perspectives from law, commerce and technology, this PhD programme equips students with a deep and broad foundation that can support a high level of academic achievements in their scholarly life. We deliberately keep the size of our PhD classes small to guarantee that our students are provided with close attention and intensive guidance from their supervisors and other faculty members.

SMU provides generous financial support to our PhD students, covering subsidised tuition fees and providing monthly living expenses. Other resources - from books, journals, databases to industry connections - will also be abundantly available to students admitted to our PhD programme.

I believe our programme will prepare you adequately for an exciting and impactful academic career that will reshape the legal infrastructure for tomorrow’s society. I look forward to welcoming you to the SMU PhD in Law, Commerce & Technology.