LEE Kim Eng Christine

Christine Lee Kim Eng founded the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Singapore and was its Head since its inception in 2006 over a period of 9 years to 2015. Prior to that appointment, she was the Head of Humanities and Social Studies Education Academic Group (2000 to 2006) and Vice-Dean of the School of Arts (1997 – 2000). Christine graduated with a first class honours in geography from the University of Singapore and with masters and doctorate degrees in Curriculum & Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. She is a recipient of several awards, notably the University of Singapore Gold Medal, the Fulbright Award, the Milestone Award from Teachers College and Singapore Public Administration Medal (Bronze). In 2015, Christine was awarded the Teachers College Distinguished Alumni Award and the Nanyang Award for Excellence in Service to Nanyang Technological University. 

Christine is the prime mover in the development and launch of an National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University - Teachers College, Columbia University Joint Masters in Leadership and Educational Change (MALEC) and is currently its Programme Director. Through her pioneering efforts in introducing Lesson Study to schools in Singapore through two R & D programmes, Communities of Practice in Cooperative Learning (CoPCL) and Lesson Study as a Teacher-Directed Form of Instructional Improvement, Lesson Study is now implemented in many schools in Singapore. Christine plays an active role in the international Lesson Study community as the President of the World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS) representing members from 33 countries. She is a well sought after keynote speaker and has been invited to give keynotes and seminars at international conferences and academic symposiums in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Turkey, UK and Vietnam.

Her research interests are in the areas of Curriculum Development, Lesson Study and Teacher Learning, Communities of Practice in Cooperative Learning, School-based Curriculum Development and Implementation, Curriculum and School Reforms. 

Her recent edited book with NIE colleagues on Globalization and the Singapore Curriculum: From Policy to Classroom is a seminal text used in graduate and in-service classes on educational reform and change leadership. Christine was  invited as visiting professor to Peking University, Chinese University of HK, University of Tokyo and was attached to Stanford University as visiting scholar. Christine serves on the Management Board of Healthy Start Child Development Centre, Beyond Social Services as well as the Board of the International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education (IASCE).

• Lesson Study and Teacher Learning
• Curriculum Development
• School and Curriculum Reforms

• World Association for Lesson Studies (WALS). Founding member; President, 2011 to 2014.
• International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education (IASCE). Board member.
• International Geographical Union-Commission of Geography Education. Board member, 2001-2008.
• Healthy Start Child Development Centre, Beyond Social Services. Chair of Management Committee.

Associate Professor Lee is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships. These include Journal of Geography Book Prize (1975), Mitsui Bank Scholarship (1975), University of Singapore Gold Medal (1976), Fulbright Scholarship (1981) and the Institute of Education Scholarship for Doctoral Studies (1989). She received the Milestone Award in 1990 for academic excellence in her doctoral programme at Teachers College, Columbia University. For her contributions to administration in NIE, Associate Professor Lee was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 2006. She also received the Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Teaching in 1995 and 1996.

Deng, Z, Gopinathan S., & Lee, K.E.C. (Eds.). (2013). Globalization and the Singapore Curriculum: From Policy to Classroom. Singapore: Springer.

Lee, K.E.C., Syed Haron, S.T., & Fang,Y.P. (2011). Scaling up and sustaining cooperative learning: A case study of a Singapore primary school. Experiments in Education, 39(3), 29-36.

Lim, C., Lee, K.E.C., Saito, E., & Syed Haron, S. (2011). Taking stock of Lesson Study as a platform for teacher development in Singapore. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 39(4), 353-365.

Tan, G. C. I., Sharan, S. & Lee, K.E.C. (2007) Group Investigation: Effects on achievement, motivation, and perceptions of students in Singapore, Journal of Educational Review, 100(3), 142-154.

Lee, K.E.C., Cherian, M., Ng, M., Ismail, R., Sim, J. & Chee, M. F. (2004). Children's experiences of multicultural relationships in informal primary school settings. In A.H. Lai (Ed.). Beyond Rituals and Riots: Ethnic Relations and Social Cohesion in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International.

Lee, K.E.C., Ng, M. & Phang, R. (2002). Effects of cooperative learning on elementary school children in Singapore. Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 22 (1), 3-15.

Lee, K.E.C., Ng, M. & Jacobs, G. M. (1998). Cooperative Learning in the Thinking Classroom. Educational Practice and Theory. 20 (1), 59-73.

Purnell, K. N., Lee, K.E.C. & Lambert, D. (1995). Promoting world class standards in geography with high school students. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education.