2020
1. Dr. Jeremy Fernando
Role: Lecturer & Tembusu College fellow (academic staff).
Allegations: Internal investigations found he had behaved “inappropriately as a teaching staff” and allegedly had an intimate relationship with an undergraduate student.
Outcome: Dismissed by NUS in October 2020 following complaints. �
CNA
2. Professor Theodore G. “Ted” Hopf
Role: Provost Chair Professor, Department of Political Science.
Allegations: Investigated following an anonymous complaint alleging sexual harassment of a student, including unwelcome physical, verbal, and written conduct.
Outcome: Dismissed from NUS on 1 December 2020 after a Committee of Inquiry found breaches of the staff code of conduct. �
The Straits Times +1
3. Professor Zheng Yongnian
Role: Former Director, East Asian Institute (NUS).
Allegations: Accused by a staff member via social-media accounts of sexual harassment and later investigated by NUS; internal review noted inappropriate professional behaviour (non-consensual hugging of a colleague).
Outcome: Resigned in September 2020 amid the allegations; NUS found some conduct inappropriate but did not impose sanctions beyond documentation due to his departure. �
CNA +1
2021
4. Unnamed Research Staff Member
Role: Researcher / staff member at NUS.
Allegations: A CNA report noted that in the first half of 2021, two students reported sexual harassment by a research staff member, including inappropriate remarks, sending inappropriate material, and non-consensual touching.
Outcome: Research staff member was issued a no-contact order and dismissed after internal investigation. (Name not widely publicized due to privacy). �
CNA
2022
5. Associate Professor Ethan Putterman
Role: Faculty in Political Science at NUS.
Allegations: Investigated for “inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour towards a student” resulting in disciplinary action.
Outcome: Employment terminated by NUS after a Committee of Inquiry determined conduct violated the NUS code of conduct. �
CNA
2025
6. Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan
Role: Biomedical Engineering professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
Allegations: Accused of sexual misconduct after a student (also his research assistant and part-time student) filed a complaint; internal investigation found he violated staff conduct policies.
Outcome: Terminated from NUS in December 2025; Prof Chen denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal. �
1. Dr. Jeremy Fernando
Role: Lecturer & Tembusu College fellow (academic staff).
Allegations: Internal investigations found he had behaved “inappropriately as a teaching staff” and allegedly had an intimate relationship with an undergraduate student.
Outcome: Dismissed by NUS in October 2020 following complaints. �
CNA
2. Professor Theodore G. “Ted” Hopf
Role: Provost Chair Professor, Department of Political Science.
Allegations: Investigated following an anonymous complaint alleging sexual harassment of a student, including unwelcome physical, verbal, and written conduct.
Outcome: Dismissed from NUS on 1 December 2020 after a Committee of Inquiry found breaches of the staff code of conduct. �
The Straits Times +1
3. Professor Zheng Yongnian
Role: Former Director, East Asian Institute (NUS).
Allegations: Accused by a staff member via social-media accounts of sexual harassment and later investigated by NUS; internal review noted inappropriate professional behaviour (non-consensual hugging of a colleague).
Outcome: Resigned in September 2020 amid the allegations; NUS found some conduct inappropriate but did not impose sanctions beyond documentation due to his departure. �
CNA +1
2021
4. Unnamed Research Staff Member
Role: Researcher / staff member at NUS.
Allegations: A CNA report noted that in the first half of 2021, two students reported sexual harassment by a research staff member, including inappropriate remarks, sending inappropriate material, and non-consensual touching.
Outcome: Research staff member was issued a no-contact order and dismissed after internal investigation. (Name not widely publicized due to privacy). �
CNA
2022
5. Associate Professor Ethan Putterman
Role: Faculty in Political Science at NUS.
Allegations: Investigated for “inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour towards a student” resulting in disciplinary action.
Outcome: Employment terminated by NUS after a Committee of Inquiry determined conduct violated the NUS code of conduct. �
CNA
2025
6. Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan
Role: Biomedical Engineering professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
Allegations: Accused of sexual misconduct after a student (also his research assistant and part-time student) filed a complaint; internal investigation found he violated staff conduct policies.
Outcome: Terminated from NUS in December 2025; Prof Chen denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal. �
