Michael Sam, Academic staff, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand

msam Associate Professor
BPE (Alta), MA (New Bruns), PhD (Otago)
Tel +64 3 479 8398
Email mike.sam@otago.ac.nz
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2625-4426

Background

Dr Michael Sam is an Associate Professor and co-director of the NZ Centre for Sport Policy and Politics. His background is in recreation, having gained much of his teaching/research interests from working at both the municipal and provincial levels of government in Manitoba, Canada. Mike serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, the International Review for the Sociology of Sport, and the International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing. He is also the President for the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA), a charitable incorporated organisation comprising 300 members across 50 countries (https://www.issa1965.org).

Teaching

Research

Associate Professor Sam’s research interests broadly encompass areas of policy, politics and governance as they relate to the public administration/management of sport. His ongoing research projects relate to:

dilemmas and 'wicked problems’ associated with governing sport,
comparative features of sport development systems and their recurrent challenges
the politics of policy regimes around stadium financing, sports gambling, and sport integrity

He has published widely in both sport studies and parent discipline journals and has co-edited three books: Sport in the City: Cultural Connections (2011), Sport Policy in Small States (2016) and Case Studies in Sport Diplomacy (2017).

Dr Sam’s work has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Swedish Research Council, the University of Otago and the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand.

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Publications

Sam, M. P. (2023). Sport, policy, & politics. In L. A. Wenner (Ed.), Oxford handbook of sport and society. (pp. 67-85). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197519011.013.4

Sam, M. P. (2022). Stakeholders in public administration and policy research: The case of safeguarding sport's 'integrity'. In A.-M. Strittmatter, J. Fahlén & B. Houlihan (Eds.), Stakeholder analysis and sport organisations. (pp. 111-126). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003111917-9

Sam, M., Stenling, C., & Tak, M. (2022). Integrity governance: A new reform agenda for sport? International Review for the Sociology of Sport. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/10126902221125600

Jackson, S. J., Sam, M. P., Dawson, M. C., & Porter, D. (2022). The wellbeing pandemic: Outline of a contested terrain and a proposed research agenda. Frontiers in Sociology, 7, 950557. doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2022.950557

Richards, J., Whatman, C., Walters, S., Keung, S., Enari, D., Chiet, A., … Hapeta, J., Sam, M., & Wilson, O. (2022). "Variety is the spice of life": Wellbeing benefits of sport participation during adolescence and stronger associations with a balanced approach. Proceedings of the Sports Medicine New Zealand Annual Conference. (pp. 20). Dunedin, New Zealand: Sports Medicine New Zealand. [Abstract]

Esherick, C., Baker, R., Jackson, S., & Sam, M. (Eds.). (2017). Case studies in sport diplomacy. Morgantown, WV: FiT Publishing, 232p.

Edited Book - Research

Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (Eds.). (2017). Sport policy in small states. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 142p.

Edited Book - Research

Sam, M. P., & Hughson, J. E. (Eds.). (2011). Sport in the city: Cultural connections. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 158p.

Edited Book - Other

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. P., & Dawbin, T. M. (2022). Policy, modernisation and the politics of sport integrity. In D. Sturm & R. Kerr (Eds.), Sport in Aotearoa New Zealand: Contested terrain. (pp. 69-80). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003034445

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. P. (2017). New Zealand. In E. Kristiansen, M. M. Parent & B. Houlihan (Eds.), Elite youth sport policy and management: A comparative analysis. (pp. 263-277). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. P. (2017). Sports development. In R. Hoye & M. M. Parent (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of sport management. (pp. 227-240). London, UK: Sage.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. (2016). Youth sport policy in small nations. In K. Green & A. Smith (Eds.), Routledge handbook of youth sport. (pp. 535-542). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. P. (2015). 'Big brother' and caring sister: Performance management and the athlete's entourage. In S. S. Andersen, B. Houlihan & L. Tore Ronglan (Eds.), Managing elite sport systems: Research and practice. (pp. 16-30). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Scherer, J., Sam, M., & Jackson, S. J. (2014). Millennium blues: The politics of media policy, televised sport, and cultural citizenship in New Zealand. In J. Scherer & D. Rowe (Eds.), Sport, public broadcasting, and cultural citizenship: Signal lost? (pp. 188-208). New York: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Jackson, S. J., Sam, M., Gee, S., Scherer, J., & Beissel, A. (2012). Megaeventos deportivos entre lo global y lo local: Lecciones de la Copa del Mundo de Rugby de 2011 [The Rugby World Cup as a sport mega-event]. In R. Llopis Goig (Ed.), Megaeventos deportivos: perspectivas científias y estudios de caso [Mega sporting events: Scientific perspectives and case studies]. (pp. 209-225). Barcelona: Editorial UOC.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. (2011). New Zealand. In M. Nicholson, R. Hoye & B. Houlihan (Eds.), Participation in sport: International policy perspectives. (pp. 238-253). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Scherer, J., Sam, M., & Batty, R. (2009). Sporting sign wars: Advertising and the contested terrain of sporting events and venues. In J. Nauright & S. Pope (Eds.), The new sport management reader. (pp. 133-153). West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. (2007). Sport policy in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In C. Collins & S. Jackson (Eds.), Sport in Aotearoa/New Zealand society. (2nd ed.) (pp. 230-245). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sam, M. P. (2017). Sport policy and transformation in small states: New Zealand's struggle between vulnerability and resilience. In M. P. Sam & S. J. Jackson (Eds.), Sport policy in small states. (pp. 89-102). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Other

Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2017). Sport and small states: The myths, limits and contradictions of the legend of David and Goliath. In M. P. Sam & S. J. Jackson (Eds.), Sport policy in small states. (pp. 1-10). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Other

Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2016). Sport policy development in New Zealand: Paradoxes of an integrative paradigm [Reprint of Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2004). Sport policy development in New Zealand. Paradoxes of an integrative paradigm. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 39(2), 205-222]. In J. Grix (Ed.), Sport politics. (pp. 105-124). London, UK: SAGE.

Chapter in Book - Other

Sam, M. P., & Hughson, J. E. (2011). Sport in the city: Cultural and political connections. In M. P. Sam & J. E. Hughson (Eds.), Sport in the city: Cultural connections. (pp. 1-6). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Other

Sam, M. P., & Scherer, J. (2011). Fitting a square stadium into a round hole: A case of deliberation and procrastination politcs. In M. P. Sam & J. E. Hughson (Eds.), Sport in the city: Cultural connections. (pp. 42-52). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Other

Scherer, J., & Sam, M. P. (2011). Policing the cyber agenda: New media technologies and recycled claims in a local stadium debate. In M. P. Sam & J. E. Hughson (Eds.), Sport in the city: Cultural connections. (pp. 53-69). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Other

Journal - Research Article

Tak, M., Choi, C.-H., & Sam, M. P. (2022). Odds-wise view: Whose ideas prevail in the global integrity campaigns against match-fixing? International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 57(7), 1001-1020. doi: 10.1177/10126902211045681

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, O. W. A., Whatman, C., Walters, S., Keung, S., Enari, D., Chiet, A., … Hapeta, J., Sam, M., & Richards, J. (2022). "Balance Is Better": The wellbeing benefits of participating in a breadth of sports across a variety of settings during adolescence. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19(14), 8597. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19148597

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, O. W. A., Whatman, C., Walters, S., Keung, S., Enari, D., Rogers, A., … Hapeta, J., Sam, M., & Richards, J. (2022). The value of sport: Wellbeing benefits of sport participation during adolescence. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19(14), 8579. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19148579

Journal - Research Article

Dawbin, T. M., Sam, M. P., & Stenling, C. (2021). National sport organisation responses to independent reviews. International Journal of Sport Policy & Politics, 13(1), 29-43. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2021.1877168

Journal - Research Article

Kellison, T., Sam, M. P., Hong, S., Swart, K., & Mondello, M. J. (2020). Global perspectives on democracy and public stadium finance. Journal of Global Sport Management, 5(4), 321-348. doi: 10.1080/24704067.2018.1531680

Journal - Research Article

Stenling, C., & Sam, M. (2020). Professionalization and its consequences: How active advocacy may undermine democracy. European Sport Management Quarterly, 20(5), 577-597. doi: 10.1080/16184742.2019.1637915

Journal - Research Article

Stenling, C., & Sam, M. (2020). Sport advocacy: The art of persuasion and its by-products. Sociology of Sport Journal, 37, 319-327. doi: 10.1123/ssj.2019-0047

Journal - Research Article

Tak, M., Sam, M. P., & Choi, C.-H. (2020). Too much at stake to uphold sport integrity? High-performance athletes' involvement in match-fixing. Crime, Law & Social Change, 74, 27-44. doi: 10.1007/s10611-020-09887-1

Journal - Research Article

Kobayashi, K., Jackson, S. J., & Sam, M. P. (2019). Globalization, creative alliance and self-Orientalism: Negotiating Japanese identity within Asics global advertising production. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 22(1), 157-174. doi: 10.1177/1367877917733812

Journal - Research Article

Sam, M. P., & Scherer, J. (2019). Big stadium, small city: A catalyst for turbulence and governance reforms. Urban Policy & Research, 37(3), 310-323. doi: 10.1080/08111146.2019.1610869

Journal - Research Article

Stenling, C., & Sam, M. (2019). From ‘passive custodian’ to ‘active advocate’: Tracing the emergence and sport-internal transformative effects of sport policy advocacy. International Journal of Sport Policy & Politics, 11(3), 447-463. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2019.1581648

Journal - Research Article

Kobayashi, K., Jackson, S. J., & Sam, M. P. (2018). Multiple dimensions of mediation within transnational advertising production: Cultural intermediaries as shapers of emerging cultural capital. Consumption Markets & Culture, 28(2), 129-146. doi: 10.1080/10253866.2017.1345421

Journal - Research Article

Sam, M. P., & Ronglan, L. T. (2018). Building sport policy's legitimacy in Norway and New Zealand. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 53(5), 550-571. doi: 10.1177/1012690216671515

Journal - Research Article

Sam, M. P., Andrew, J. C., & Gee, S. (2018). The modernisation of umpire development: Netball New Zealand's reforms and impacts. European Sport Management Quarterly, 18(3), 263-286. doi: 10.1080/16184742.2017.1377272

Journal - Research Article

Tak, M., Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2018). The politics of countermeasures against match-fixing in sport: A political sociology approach to policy instruments. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 53(1), 30-48. doi: 10.1177/1012690216639748

Journal - Research Article

Tak, M., Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2018). The problems and causes of match-fixing: Are legal sports betting regimes to blame? Journal of Criminological Research, Policy & Practice, 4(1), 73-87. doi: 10.1108/JCRPP-01-2018-0006

Journal - Research Article

Chang, I. Y., Jackson, S. J., & Sam, M. P. (2017). Risk society, anxiety and exit: A case study of South Korean migration decision-making. Asian & Pacific Migration Journal, 26(3), 328-351. doi: 10.1177/0117196817727800

Journal - Research Article

Chang, I. Y., Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2017). Transnationalism, return visits and identity negotiation: South Korean-New Zealanders and the Korean national sports festival. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 52(3), 314-335. doi: 10.1177/1012690215589723

Journal - Research Article

Gee, S., Sam, M. P., & Jackson, S. J. (2017). Content analyses of alcohol-related images during television broadcasts of major sports events in New Zealand. International Journal of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, 18(3), 230-245. doi: 10.1108/IJSMS-08-2017-094

Journal - Research Article

Stenling, C., & Sam, M. (2017). Tensions and contradictions in sport’s quest for legitimacy as a political actor: The politics of Swedish public sport policy hearings. International Journal of Sport Policy & Politics, 9(4), 691-705. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2017.1348382

Journal - Research Article

Gee, S., Jackson, S. J., & Sam, M. (2016). Carnivalesque culture and alcohol promotion and consumption at an annual international sports event in New Zealand. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 51(3), 265-283. doi: 10.1177/1012690214522461

Journal - Research Article

Sam, M. P., & Chang, I. Y. (2016). The importance of policy analysis in sport sociology. Korean Journal of Sociology of Sport, 29(2), 23-40.

Journal - Research Article

Sam, M. P. (2015). Sport policy and transformation in small states: New Zealand's struggle between vulnerability and resilience. International Journal of Sport Policy & Politics, 7(3), 407-420. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2015.1060715

Journal - Research Article

Macris, L. I., & Sam, M. P. (2014). Belief, doubt, and legitimacy in a performance system: National sport organization perspectives. Journal of Sport Management, 28(5), 529-550. doi: 10.1123/jsm.2012-0290

Journal - Research Article

Sam, M. P., & Macris, L. I. (2014). Performance regimes in sport policy: Exploring consequences, vulnerabilities and politics. International Journal of Sport Policy & Politics, 6(3), 513-532. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2013.851103

Journal - Research Article

Keat, R. A., & Sam, M. P. (2013). Regional implementation of New Zealand sport policy: New instrument, new challenges. International Journal of Sport Policy & Politics, 5(1), 39-54. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2012.656684

Journal - Research Article

Porter, D. R., & Sam, M. P. (2013). Playing the shell game: The Faustian bargain for Dunedin's stadium. Sport in Society, 16(7), 931-942. doi: 10.1080/17430437.2013.791160

Journal - Research Article

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