Irene Y.H. Ng is the S R Nathan Professor (2025–2028) in the Department of Social Work at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She was promoted to full Professor effective 1 January 2025. She holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, an M.S.W. from the University of Michigan, an M.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan, and a B.Soc.Sci. (Honours) from NUS. Ng serves as founding director of the Social Service Research Centre at NUS. Her research focuses on poverty, inequality, intergenerational mobility, and social welfare policy, including studies on in-work poverty among young workers and social safety nets in East Asia.
Ng has contributed to research projects examining the well-being of low-income families and the challenges of digital poverty. She previously held the position of Associate Professor prior to her promotion.