With a keen research interest in Japan, Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) Honours which he gained in 2010 for his honours thesis "Disability in Japan: A State of 'Independent Dependence' ". Sam is currently working on his PhD in Asian Studies looking at national identity in the globalised world.
He is a recipient of an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award and Waseda University International Student Scholarship.
He has a personal interest in Australian and US Politics, Information Technology, Security, Media as well as Civil Activism particularly in relation to online movements.