Sam Murray is PhD Student at Cardiff University currently studying the independent music scene in Portland, Oregon with a focus on how the city perceives music as a resource be it economic, political, educational or social. He is working under the supervision of Dr Sarah Hill at the university’s school of music. Sam has previously studied a BA in Popular and World Music at the University of Leeds and gained a distinction for an MA in Popular Music Studies at the University of Liverpool under the supervision of Professor Sara Cohen.

As part of his research Sam has created a research blog which features videos text and image from his fieldwork. In September 2013 he combined his research with Portland-based non-for-profit organisation Know Your City to create the Sing-a-Song of Portland Walking Tour, a tour which combined social and musical histories, ethnographic research and reflections on the current state of the music scene with a sing-a-long element where tour groups would sing song that have been crucial to Portland’s musical identity.

Sam also has wider research interests in the practical application of Ethnography working on essays regarding public engagement and the ethics of fieldwork. He was recently employed by the BBC as one of ten selected academics to work on BBC Radio 3's Connected Studio project firstly to engage and innovate with creative industries and then asked to conduct an ethnographic report on the innovation and creative processes of the studio.

He has a colourful history of working in music media previously being the host and producer of Folk Off! A student radio folk music show broadcast by both Leeds Student Radio and Liverpool Student Radio where he was nominated for best Male presenter in 2012. He also managed to get the show supported by Songlines, the UK’s leading World Music Magazine and interviewed a manner of well-known musicians including Yann Tiersen, Julia Stone, LAU, Bellowhead and Laura Veirs. He also has previously written for Leeds Music Scene E-zine reviewing records and gigs and interviewing the likes of Seasick Steve and Blind Pilot. He currently works for the European Broadcasting Union as part of their Eurovision Young Musicians and Young Dancers Webteam as an editor and proof-reader. He is also the clarinettist in folk-reggae band Me and My Friends who have appear on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ and BBC Radio 2 as well as many performance in various venues across the UK including London’s Union Chapel and Musicport Festival.