The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is a think-tank that studies and generates public policy ideas in Singapore. Established in 1988, IPS became an autonomous research centre of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore in 2008. A centre for social indicators research, Social Lab, was set up by IPS in November 2013. The board of directors at the institute includes high ranking Singapore government officials, diplomats, directors of multinational businesses, and leaders of academic institutions. Research activities IPS contributes to the research and analysis of domestic issues covering a wide range of topics and areas of study, focusing primarily on Singapore-centric subjects. The major areas of research include: Arts, Culture, and Media Demography and Family Economics and Business Politics and Governance Society and Identity IPS Social Lab A centre for social indicators research, Social Lab, was set up by IPS in November 2013. Its key project is a panel survey on social dynamics that tracks 5,000 households across Singapore. Flagship events IPS hosts regular conferences, public lectures, seminars and closed door discussions. Singapore Perspectives Singapore Perspectives is IPS's annual conference that seeks to engage thinking Singaporeans in a lively debate about the public policy challenges the country faces. The first Singapore Perspectives conference was launched in 2000, replacing the earlier Year in Review conference series. Previous themes examined at the conference have included Governance, Differences and Inclusiveness Singapore Economic Roundtable (SER) The bi-annual meeting of a select group of senior private sector economists, academics, business leaders and policy makers is intended to generate a frank discussion of major macro-economic policy issues facing Singapore. Each SER assesses current monetary and fiscal policy in the light of changing economic circumstances and provides a forum for non-policy makers to air their recommendations. The insights from the SER are published as an IPS publication and in the media. Young Singaporeans Conference (YSC) The YSC is a biennial conference that gathers about 70 young Singaporeans between 25 and 35 years of age who have shown leadership or excellence in their respective fields of endeavour to discuss their views on issues of national interest. S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore In 2013, IPS set up the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore, named after the late former President of Singapore S R Nathan. A Fellow is appointed annually and the fellowship is