“It is not about my name, my name is small, but hearing the announcement made me really proud that Singapore is represented on this international platform,” says Asst Prof Wu, the first nurse researcher from Singapore who received this award. 

Assistant Professor Vivien Wu Xi from the National University of Singapore’s Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), receiving the 2022 Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award.

The research work of Assistant Professor Vivien Wu Xi from the National University of Singapore’s Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing) on ageing took off and gained international recognition, earning her the 2022 Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award at the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing (Sigma)’s 33rd International Nursing Research Congress held in July 2022. 

Since 2015, the Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award has recognised early career nurse researchers and scholars whose research or scholarship has influenced the nursing profession and the people it serves. 

A total of five awardees have been presented the award, representing five of Sigma’s global regions – Asia, Europe, Latin and South America/Caribbean, North America, and Oceania, with Asst Prof Wu as the representative for Asia. 

“It is not about my name, my name is small, but hearing the announcement made me really proud that Singapore is represented on this international platform,” says Asst Prof Wu, the first nurse researcher from Singapore who received this award. 

In the 45-minute sharing session given to each awardee, Asst Prof Wu spoke about her research, “Community based e Health Program (CeHP) For Older Adults Living With Chronic Diseases”. Feeding off her presentation, the participants in the session were very sporting and active, offering for disucssion their own challenges when conducting research with elderly, as well as the barriers of digital literacy that the older population faces. 

Assistant Professor Vivien Wu Xi, speaking at the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing (Sigma)’s 33rd International Nursing Research Congress in July 2022

She reflected on the session, and elaborates on how Singapore provides a fertile ground for nursing initiatives to take root and grow. 

“Our government puts in effort to promote digital literacy for the older population. The social-cultural environment really makes a difference.”

Another takeaway from the congress was the sharing by renowned researchers, on their experiences in supporting and nurturing young researchers, and in building strong connections through research, education and practice, with collaborators. Asst Prof Wu encourages the building of a research-friendly eco-system in Singapore. 

Thanking Professor Emily Ang, Head of the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), senior colleagues, and her dedicated research team members for their insight, experience, and hard work, Asst Prof Wu also expresses her gratitude to the older adults and staff of the community, who believed in her team’s work and mantra. 

Lastly, she shares a heartfelt message to young researchers.

“It took me approximately five years after graduating from my PhD programme to reach this platform. I remember Prof Emily once told me that it’s our research work that speaks for us. So, keep up your good work, we should let the world know about NUS Nursing.”