National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore

Introduction

Dr Neo was appointed Lecturer of the Asian Languages and Cultures Academic Group, NIE on 4 January 2010. On 1st Jan 2013, Dr Neo has been promoted to Senior Lecturer.

Education

Dr Neo received his Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) in Chinese Studies from the National University of Singapore in 1988 and Ph.D. (in History) from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2000.

Research Interests

Dr Neo works in the field of Chinese Classical Learning (zhongxue jingxue), with a focus on Han Apocryphal Texts (chenwei). He also publishes on the history of Chinese education in Singapore, and the development of bilingual education in Singapore.

Professional Contributions

Dr. Neo publishes in the leading journals for the discipline of Chinese Classical Learning, in mainland China and Taiwan, such as The Bulletin of Studies on Traditional Chinese Canons (Jingxue yanjiu jikan), Journal on Chinese Classical Learning (Zhongguo jingxue) and Chinese Culture Research (Zhongguo wenhua yanjiu). His essays or reviews on issues related to Chinese education and Chinese language teaching in Singapore are published in scholarly journals with a disciplinary orientation on the Studies of Chinese Overseas, such as Asian Culture, Journal of the South Seas Society and The International Journal on Diasporic Chinese Studies.

Publications

Scholarly Book

• Lo, Y.K., Neo, P.F. (Ed.). (2008). A Multi-perspectives Approach to Chinese Classical Learning (Jingxue de duoyuan mailuo). Taipei: Student Book (Xuesheng Shuju). Research Monograph
• Neo, P.F. (2000). A Study of the Auxiliary Texts of the Book of Changes [Yiwei]. Ann Arbor: ProQuest (UMI Dissertations Publishing).

Chapters in Scholarly Books

• Neo, P.F. (2009). From a Demigod to a Sage: Du Yu and his Commentary on the Confucius' Mythology of "Xishou huolin" (Du Yu yu xishou huolin). In Fang, G.H., Peng, L. (Ed.), Collected Essays on Chinese Classical Learning (Zhongguo jingxue lunji) (pp. 543-561). Xian: Shanxi Renmin Chubanshe.
• Neo, P.F. (2008). Chenwei and the Tradition of Classical Learning in Late Qing and Early Republican China (Qingmo minchu xueren de chenwei guan). In Lo, Y.K., Neo, P.F. (Ed.), A Multi-perspectives Approach to Chinese Classical Learning (Jingxue de duoyuan, mailuo) (pp. 355-375). Taipei: Student Book (Xuesheng shuju).
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Religious Knowledge and Moral Education: A Case Study in 1980s Singapore. In Liu, A.J. (Ed.), Civic Education in East and South-East Asia (Liangan sidi de gongmin jiaoyu) (pp. 147-163). Taipei: Shta Book (Shida shuyuan).
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Research on Chenwei: Prospect and Retrospect. In Liu, Z.H., Luo Z.Q. (Ed.), Studies on Chinese Thoughts and Society, volume 1 (Zhongguo sixiang yu shehui yanjiu) (pp. 505-508). Beijing: China Social Sciences Press.
• Neo, P.F. (2007). The Founding of Dunman High School: A Historical Analysis. In Lu, G.X. (Ed.), Collected Essays on Chinese Language Teaching (pp. 17-27). Singapore: Dunman High School.
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Mutual Illumination between Historical and Classical Studies: A Preliminary Investigation of Qian Mu's Research on Confucian Classics. In Teo, L.T., Wong, W.B. (Ed.), Qian Mu and Chinese Learning and Thought (pp. 147-166). Kuala Lumpur: Department of Chinese Studies, University of Malaya.
• Neo, P.F. (2006). Mythology in the Classical and Apocryphal Texts of Ancient China (Jingzhuan yu chenwei zhong de shenhua). In Chung, Y.Y. (Ed.), Religion, Literature and Society (Zongjiao, wenxue yu rensheng) (pp. 47-80). Taipei: Yuan Ze University, Department of Chinese Languages and Literature.
• Neo, P.F. (2006). Bilingual Education in Singapore: 1965-2005. In Ho, K.L., Thock, K.W., & Onn, H.J. (Eds.), Social Changes in Malaysia and Singapore (1965-2005) (pp. 89-121). Johor: Southern College Malaysia.
• Neo, P.F. (2005). Chenwei and the Tradition of Classical Learning in Qing Dynasty China (Qing dai jingshi de chenwei guan). In Peng, L. (Ed.), Culture and Classical Learning in the Qing Dynasty (Qing dai jingxue yu wenhua) (pp. 387-408). Beijing: Peking University Press.
• Neo, P.F. (2005). On the Mistake of a Calendar Constant seen in the Han Apocryphay Texts of the Book of Changes. In Xiong, T.J., & Zhao, G. H. (Eds.), Studies on the Intellectual History of Qin and Han Dynasties (Qin Han sixiang wenhua yanjiu) (pp. 411-422). Singapore: Hope Publishing House.
• Journals Articles (Referred)
• Neo, P.F. (2009). A Review of the book Lixiang yu xianshi and the field of research on Nanyang University. The International Journal of Diasporic Chinese Studies (Huaren yanjiu guoji xuebao), 1, 137-140.
• Neo, P.F. (2008). Classical Learning in a Turbulent Age: An Analysis from the Perspective of Chenwei Study (Biandong shidai de jingxue: cong chenwei yanjiu de shijiao kaocha). Bulletin of Studies on Traditional Chinese Canons (Jingxue yanjiu jikan), 4, 93-103.
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Research on Chenwei: Prospect and Retrospect. Journal for Contemporary Studies of Confucianism (Dangdai ruxue yanjiu), 2, 231-238.
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Religious Knowledge and Moral Education: A Case Study in 1980s Singapore (Zongjiao zhishi yu gongmin jiaoyu). Journal of the South Seas Society (Nanyang xuebao), 61, 13-24.
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Chenwei and the Tradition of Classical Learning in Late Qing and Early Republican China (Qing mo Min chu xueren de chenwei guan). Zhongguo Jingxue (Chinese Classical Learning), 2, 342-356.
• Neo, P.F. (2007). Student Movement and the Establishment of Government Chinese Middle Schools in Singapore, 1954-1956: A Historical Analysis. Asian Culture, 31, 18-31.
• Neo, P.F. (2006). Studies of Chinese Overseas in the National University of Singapore. CHC Bulletin: A Publication of Chinese Heritage Center, 7 & 8, 46-49.
• Neo, P.F. (2006). On the Disciplines of Classical Learning and History: A Comparison of Kang Youwei and Qian Mu (Jing shi zhijian: Qiantan Kang Youwei yu Qian Mu de jingxue yanjiu). Chinese Culture Research, 51, 11-13.
• Neo, P.F. (2005). Chinese Language Teaching in Singapore: An Analysis of Recent Developments. Asian Culture, 29, 24-40.
• Neo, P.F. (2004). Singapore Bilingual Education in 2004: Refinement or Erosion of Past Policy?. Asian Culture, 28, 40-53.

Conference Presentations

• Neo, P.F. (2009, December). On the Apocryphal and Canonical Texts of Western Han Times (Jingxue yu weixue). Paper presented at The Third International Conference on Chinese Classical Learning (Di san jie Zhongguo jingxue guoji xueshu yantaohui), Xiamen.
• Neo, P.F. (2009, July). A Review on the Recent Research on Yiwei (Lun Yiwei yanjiu de yixie xin guandian). Paper presented at The Fourth International Conference on Historical China Studies (Di si jie chuantong Zhongguo guoji xueshu yantaohui), Shanghai.
• Neo, P.F. (2008, November). Lee Kong Chian and his Contributions to Chinese Education in Post-war Singapore: 1946-1955 (Li Guangqian yu Xinjiapo de huawen jiaoyu). Paper presented at An International Conference on Tan Kah Kee and Lee Kong Chian: Their Significance in the Making of Modern Singapore and Malaysia, Singapore.
• Neo, P.F. (2008, November). The Tradition of Classical Learning in the Three Kingdoms and Jin-Song Dynasties Times: From the Perspective of a Textual analysis of the Wuxing zhi (Sanguo Jin Song shiqi de tianren zhixue: cong Wuxingzhi kaocha). Paper presented at An International Conference on Classical Learning of the Wei-Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties Period (Wei Jin Nanbeichao jingxue guoji xueshu yantaohui), Taipei.
• Neo, P.F. (2007, November). Classical Learning in a Turbulent Age: An Analysis from the Perspective of Chenwei Studies (Biandong shidai de jingxue: cong chenwei yanjiu de shijiao kaocha). Paper presented at Conference on Classical Learning and the Scholars of Classical Learning in Republican China: 1912-1949 (Minguo shidai de jingxue yu jingxuejia guoji xueshu yantaohui), Taipei.
• Neo, P.F. (2007, August). Change or Continuity? Recent Developments in the Teaching and Learning of Chinese Language in Singapore Schools. Paper presented at The Fifth International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS 5), Kuala Lumpur.
• Neo, P.F. (2007, June). Religious Knowledge and Civic Education: A Case Study in 1980s Singapore (Zongjiao zhishi yu gongmin jiaoyu). Paper presented at A Regional Conference on Civics Education and Civil Society (Liangan sidi gongmin jiaoyu yu gongmin shehui xueshu yantaohui), Taipei.
• Neo, P.F. (2006, December). Chinese Schools in Singapore: 1945-1965. Paper presented at International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas Regional African Conference, Pretoria.
• Neo, P.F. (2006, September). A Study of the Mythical Discourses in the Commentaries on Confucian Classics and Chenwei (Jingzhuan yu chenwei zhong de shenhua). Paper presented at An International Academic Conference on Religion, Literature and Life (Zongjiao, wenxue yu rensheng guoji xueshu yantao hui), Taipei.
• Neo, P.F. (2006, August). Chenwei and the Tradition of Classical Learning in Medieval China (Zhong shi xueren de chenwei guan). Paper presented at An International Conference on the Thought and Culture of Post-8th Century China (Zhong Tang yilai sixiang wenhua yu shehui yanjin guoji xueshu yantaohui), Tianjin.
• Neo P.F. (2006, August). Research on Chenwei: Prospect and Retrospect (Chenwei yanjiu de xiankuang yu zhanwang). Paper presented at An International Dialogue on Multicultural-Interdisciplinary Researches (Guoji duoyuan wenhua zonghe yanjiu luntan), Tianjin.
• Neo P.F. (2005, December). Bilingual Education in Singapore: 1965-2005. Paper presented at A Conference on Fourty Years of Social Transformations in Singapore and Malaysia, Johor Bahru.
• Neo, P.F. (2005, November). Chenwei and the Tradition of Classical Learning in Late Qing and Early Republican China (Qing mo Min chu xueren de chenwei guan). Paper presented at The First International Conference on Chinese Classical Learning (Shoujie Zhongguo jingxue guoji xueshu yantaohui), Beijing.
• Neo, P.F. (2005, March). Mutual Illumination between Historical and Classical Studies: A Preliminary Investigation of Qian Mu’s Research on Confucian Classics (Qian Mu jingxue yanjiu chulun). Paper presented at An International Conference on Confucianism and Chinese Intellectual Thought, Kuala Lumpur.
• Neo P.F. (2004, December). Singapore Bilingual Education After 2004: A Critical Analysis. Paper presented at The Eighteenth International Language in Education Conference, Hong Kong.
• Neo, P.F. (2004, December). New Developments in the Teaching of Mother Tongue Languages in Singapore: An Analysis of the 2004 Pedagogical Reforms on Chinese Language (Xinjiapo huawen jiaoxue de xinfazhan: lun 2004 nian de huawen jiaoxue gaige). Paper presented at The Third International Conference on Chinese Sociolinguistics, Nanjing.
• Neo, P.F. (2004, August). The Apocryphal Texts of the Classic of Changes and Meng Xi School of Yijing Learning: Their Relevance to Historical Research on Han Dynasty China (Yiwei, Mengshi Yi yu Hanshi yanjiu). Paper presented at International Conference on Chinese History in Multi-Perspectives (Duoyuan shiye zhong de Zhongguo lishi), Beijing.
• Neo, P.F. (2003, August). Meng Xi and the Tradition of Yijing Learning in Western Han Dynasty. Paper presented at Third International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS3), Singapore.
• Neo, P.F. (2003, November). Chenwei and the Tradition of Classical Learning in Qing Dynasty China (Qing dai jingshi de chenwei guan). Paper presented at An International Conference on the Classical Learning and Culture of Qing Dynasty China (Qing dai jingxue yu wenhua guoji xueshu yantaohui), Beijing.

Chapter from Academic Reference

• Neo, P.F. (2006). Confucianism in Singapore. In Koh, T. (Ed.), Singapore: The Encyclopedia (pp. 141-142). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet & the National Heritage Board of Singapore. Published Review of Scholarly Work
• Neo, P.F. (2007, October 5). A Critical Review of Nanda tuxiang (Collected Essays on the History of Nanyang University) [Review of Lee, G.K. Nanda tuxiang (Collected Essays on the History of Nanyang University)]. Binfen, Lianhe Zaobao (Multiplex, Singapore Chinese Daily),3.

Awards

Dr Neo was a recipient of the National University of Singapore's Tong Kit Hing Memorial Award (1988), Research Scholar Scholarship (1990-1992) and Overseas Graduate Scholarship (1993-1998).