Sam is a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Bohné. His research investigates how people interact with embodied conversational agents in social virtual reality.

He holds a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) in Computer Science from the University of Auckland, where his thesis examined the effects of personalised avatars on embodiment in social VR environments. This work sparked his broader interest in human-computer interaction, XR, and AI-driven agents.

Outside his research, Sam enjoys designing games and interactive experiences, as well as playing guitar. He is also president of Intercollegiate XR (ICXR), a student-led organisation for exploring immersive technologies and promoting collaboration across disciplines.

Sam’s work bridges human–computer interaction, XR, and conversational AI. He aims to deepen our understanding of social VR while developing tools and methods that are practically useful across domains. He is always open to conversations and collaborations with others working in related areas.