Shirley Sun
Associate Professor of Sociology
School of Social Sciences
College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Shirley Sun is an Associate Professor of Sociology with joint courtesy appointments at Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and the School of Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.  Shirley studies  genomic science, precision medicine, population and reproduction in global contexts through the concepts of citizenship and “othering”. She is the author of “Socio-economics of Personalized Medicine in Asia” (2017, London and New York: Routledge) (Socio-economics of Personalized Medicine in Asia | Taylor & Francis Group) and the author of “Population Policy and Reproduction in Singapore: Making Future Citizens” (2012, London and New York: Routledge).

Research Statement

My current research projects investigate the growing phenomenon of precision medicine initiatives as an integral part of healthcare and the impact this has on multiple stakeholders – for example, primary care providers,  physicians (particularly medical oncologists), health insurance providers and patients.

Research One-liner

My research aims to show the co-construction of genomic science, precision medicine and social relations, and the consequences of such co-construction.

Publications

FREE ACCESS

Sun, Shirley, and Ann Hui Ching. 2021. “Social Systems Matter: Precision Medicine, Public Health and the Medical Model.” East Asian Science Technology and Society

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18752160.2021.1938440

Sun, Shirley. (2020). “Clinical usefulness of genetic testing for drug toxicity in cancer care: decision-makers’ framing, knowledge and perceptions.” New Genetics and Society 39 (4): 359-384

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/KFNDTMHPBVDXCRCY9BTE/full?target=10.1080/14636778.2020.1730165

Sun, Shirley. (2020). “Between Personalized and Racialized Precision Medicine: A Relative Resources Perspective.” International Sociology, 35(1), 90-110

https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580919885292

Sun, Shirley. (2017).  Socio-economics of Personalized Medicine in Asia.  London and New York: Routledge.  Socio-economics of Personalized Medicine in Asia | Taylor & Francis Group

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/socio-economics-personalized-medicine-asia-shirley-sun/10.4324/9781315537177

Latest Projects

Exploring People’s Understanding of Medical Studies

Improving prescribing: A feasibility study of pharmacogenetic testing with clinical decision support in the Primary Health Care Setting in Singapore

Understanding the educational and infrastructure needs of primary care physicians’ towards clinical genomic testing

Understanding the Professional and Patient Experiences or Concerns of Participation in Pharmacogenetics Testing in Primary Care in Singapore. (PTPC)

Other affiliation(s)

Associate Professor, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science

Expertise
Biology, Medicine, Sociology, Family studies

Research Interests
medical sociology, population studies and public and social policy

Research Category
Chinese Culture & Language (Chinese Studies), Sociology
Potential NISTH Challenge Statements
Advancing inclusive living and ageing, Leveraging technology for the societal good, Medical technology, Sociocultural system, Technoethics
Related NTU2025 Research Clusters
Brain & Learning
Related RIE2025 Domains
Human Health and Potential (HHP)
Related Humanity Grand Challenges
Addressing technology’s impact on humanity
Affiliated Sustainable Development Goals
GOAL 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING – Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.
GOAL 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE – Investments in infrastructure are crucial to achieving sustainable development.
GOAL 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES – To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.
GOAL 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS – Access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
Last Updated
13 Apr 2020
Last Updated
30 Sep 2021