Experience
Samuel brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the interrelated fields of technology and politics. He has written on a wide variety of topics, from disinformation campaigns in Ukraine to the spread of Chinese surveillance technology in Africa.
By attending international conferences including the Internet Freedom Festival, RightsCon, and the Internet Governance Forum, Samuel has had the opportunity to learn from and work with leading organisations in the fight to protect digital rights.
In 2019, he worked with Internet Sans Frontières to help deliver mobile data and VPN apps to activists working in Chad, where a social media shutdown lasted for 16 months.
His research has involved interviews with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, David Kaye, activists in Ethiopia, journalists in Egypt, digital rights campaigners in Hong Kong, and academics in South Africa.
Through his work, he has also formed relationships with representatives from leading NGOs including Freedom House, Amnesty International, Access Now, Article 19, and the National Endowment for Democracy.
He also frequently works with members of leading academic research labs such as the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, Stanford’s Global Digital Policy Incubator, and Oxford University’s Internet Institute.
He has contributed extensively to our independent VPN research and has helped inform our safe VPN recommendations. He is also working to create free, actionable resources to help those at risk from surveillance, censorship and repression online.
In January 2020, Samuel co-authored the Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns report with Simon Migliano. The findings of the report were referenced by CNN, CNBC, The Guardian, The Independent, Time, Business Insider and Reuters. Samuel was also interviewed on the BBC’s Digital Planet radio programme to discuss the report.