Research Affiliates Programme

RESEARCH AFFILIATES PROGRAMME

A comprehensive programme which aims to fully equip tax professionals with academic writing and research skills, offering them the opportunity to contribute to tax academic research in Singapore.

  • Accepting around 2-6 affiliates a year
  • Exclusive programme built on the model of the Directed Research Programme in SMU
  • Training and consultation sessions with SMU faculty and visiting professors
  • Complimentary access to STARI Seminars

Contact Sessions:

  • 3 x 3h writing workshop
  • 3 x 1h consultations over a few months
  • 1 research seminar  
Certification and Resources: 

JOINING THE FULL PROGRAMME

  • Signing contract with SMU
  • Appointment as “Research Affiliate”
  • Includes contact sessions as above
  • Access to comprehensive support and resources for undertaking research 
     

JOINING THE PROFESSIONAL WRITING WORKSHOP

  • Includes 3 x 3h writing workshop
  • Certificate of attendance
 

Click here to register your interest or scan QR code below for the registration form: 

  • Academic and Professional Writing Workshop

  • Complimentary access to STARI seminars 

  • Guidance on the research writing process

  • Consultation sessions with SMU faculty and visiting professors

  • Opportunity to hold a research seminar on your findings and receive academic feedback

  • Guidance on article revisions

  • Article submission (with a view towards publication in a reputable tax journal or for uploading onto the STARI website)

Training affiliates on technical skills of academic writing and publication 

Academic Writing Component
  • Overview of Publication Process
  • Formulating the Research Question
  • Writing Process
    • What is a Publishable Article
    • Key Elements of an Article
    • Writing Tips
    • Literature Review
  • Publishing in Journals
  • Sharing by Senior Research Affiliates
Professional Writing Component
  • Writing Tips
  • Conducting a Literature Review
  • Primary Sources and Secondary Sources
  • International Sources and Other Sources
  • Mapping Doctrinal Methods
  • Reading Domestic Legislation
    • Purposive Interpretation
    • Other Things to Note
  • Reading Case Law
    • Doctrine of Precedent

    • Court Hierarchy

    • Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dicta

    • Distinguishing Cases

    • Reading Cases: Tax-Specific Issues

  • The International Tax Dimension
    • Interpreting Tax Treaties

    • Relevance of International Case Law

    • The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties

    • Customary International Law

  • Sharing on Common Legal Sources and Databases
  • Citations
  • Comparative Legal Research Method
  • Historical Legal Research Method 

Affiliates present their research to leading visiting academics and receive feedback.

Affiliates are guided in publishing their work in a variety of appropriate journals.