In a special feature, SMU’s Lien Centre for Social Innovation noted that its research is helping Singapore to better understand and respond to the needs of vulnerable communities. SMU Associate Professor of Political Science John A Donaldson said that “society is facing new issues that it hasn’t had to deal with before”, adding that more conversations are taking place about how some segments of the middle class struggle to make ends meet, and what it means to “succeed in life” here. He stressed that universities must play a part in building a resilient society and this can be achieved by generating rigorous research that is actionable, so that people can act on in a productive manner that will bring Singapore closer as a caring community.