Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Sam has worked in university libraries in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Edmonton. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Manitoba, a Master of Library and Information Studies degree from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Arts degree in Music and Culture from Carleton University. In 2024, Sam completed a PhD in Political Science from the University of Birmingham in the UK.

Sam is the author of numerous articles and book chapters, as well as monographs on politics and libraries, a novel, and three books of poetry. See the Writing section for more information.