JCU Conversations

What if marketing is about more than selling products? In this episode, our Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Dr Nurhafihz Noor, shares how his research into artificial intelligence, consumer behaviour and culture shapes his understanding of marketing. He explores how technology can improve customer experiences, why cultural differences matter in shaping consumer behaviour, and how aspiring marketers can build their skills through authentic storytelling, curiosity and a deeper understanding of the people they serve.

This episode’s host: Dr Jennifer Chong, Lecturer, Business at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Dr Nurhafihz Noor

What if psychology research is about more than statistics? In this episode, our psychology lecturer Dr Patrick Lin, Associate Professor in Psychology, shares how his journey from interior design to psychology shaped his research into human behaviour, interpersonal attraction and hikikomori. He explores why people are more unpredictable than we think, how childhood experiences and technology can influence social withdrawal, and why asking the right research question matters more than mastering statistics.

This episode’s host: Dr Jonathan Chia, Lecturer, Psychology at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Dr Patrick Lin

What if tourism could give back? In this episode, tourism and sustainability expert Ho Shyn Yee, Partner, Director and Technology Practice Lead at Horwath HTL, and Board Member at Smiling Gecko, explains how regenerative tourism can support local communities while creating more meaningful experiences for travellers.

This episode’s host: Dr Susan Gibson-Kueh, Associate Professor & Principal Research Fellow, Aquatic Animal Health, at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Ho Shyn Yee.

In this episode, sustainable development advocate Robin Pho shares why he believes sustainability is about far more than environmental responsibility. From renewable energy to community development, he discusses how businesses can create value by investing in people, protecting the planet and building stronger communities.

This episode’s host: Dr Caroline Wong, Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, and Associate Professor in Business, at James Cook University (Singapore Campus)

Connect with Mr Robin Pho.

Is gaming addiction really about spending too much time playing? Not necessarily. In this episode of JCU Conversations, our psychology lecturer Associate Professor Peter Chew explains why the actual warning signs go far beyond screen time. Learn what separates enthusiastic gaming from problematic gaming, why stress plays such a significant role, and what his research reveals about young adults in Singapore.

This episode’s host: Dr Yow Yong Jie, Lecturer in Psychology at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).  

Connect with Associate Professor Peter Chew.

Hybrid work is reshaping how organisations design jobs, manage performance, and support employee well-being. But while flexible work brings along advantages, it also raises important questions about boundaries, isolation, and what effective work arrangements really look like in practice. Join Professor Alexandra Beauregard, Professor of Organizational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London, as she shares about the evolving nature of work.

This episode’s host: Professor Eddy Ng, the Smith Professor of Equity and Inclusion in Business at Queen's University and Visiting Professor at James Cook University.

Connect with Professor Alexandra Beauregard. 

The future of work is here. From AI and hybrid work to shifting workforce expectations and generational change, today’s workplace is being reshaped by powerful global megatrends. Join organisational behaviour expert Professor Eddy Ng as he shares about the six big megatrends, why they matter, and how these forces are transforming careers, organisations, and the skills needed to stay adaptable in a fast-evolving future. 

Professor Ng is the Smith Professor of Equity and Inclusion in Business at Queen's University and Visiting Professor at James Cook University.

This episode’s host: Dr Ratna Devi Pillai, Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Management at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).  

Connect with Professor Eddy Ng.

What happens when psychology meets nature? Associate Professor Denise Dillon, Acting Dean of Research and Associate Dean of Research Education at James Cook University (Singapore Campus), shares about environmental psychology – the study of how our surroundings influence our thoughts, behaviours and wellbeing.

This episode’s host: Dr Samuel Chng, Research Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design. 

Connect with Associate Professor Denise Dillon.

What does it really take to build a career across six countries? What are employers really looking for, beyond CVs? In this episode of JCU Conversations, we speak to Joyce Bijl, Business Development Director Asia Pacific & Middle East at ManpowerGroup. Based in Singapore today, Joyce has lived and worked in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Dubai, the UAE, and Singapore. She shares advice to students who are looking to work abroad, her thoughts on the future of work and more.

This episode’s host: Dr Tan Kim Lim, Senior Lecturer at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Joyce Bijl.

Is AI wiping out entry-level jobs? How is it changing businesses? How can we stay relevant? Join Christopher Warren, Head of Business Strategy and Chief of Staff for the Asia Pacific region at Red Hat as he shares about the impact of AI on careers, academia, why AI probably won’t replace us, and more.

This episode’s host: Lance DuBos, Lecturer at James Cook University (Singapore Campus).

Connect with Christoper Warren.