Helen Sampson joined the Seafarers International Research Centre in 1999. She became a Senior Research Associate in 2001 and Deputy Director of SIRC in 2002. In September 2003 Helen was appointed as SIRC’s Director. Helen has a background in policy-related teaching and research. Her first degree is in Sociology and she holds a Postgraduate Certificate of Education PGCE (Economics and Social Studies – FE/Secondary) and a PhD.

At SIRC Helen’s research interests have developed in relation to multinational crewing, training, women seafarers, the impact of changing technology on seafarers’ work, issues of regulation, family life, globalisation, and seafarer health and safety.

In 2010 Helen was invited to join the European Commission's Task Force on Maritime Employment and Competitiveness chaired by Sir Robert Coleman. The objective of the task force is to strike the right balance between the employment conditions of EU seafarers and the competitiveness of the European fleet.

Helen is an active supporter of the International Sociological Association and is a member of the RC30 board which focuses upon the sociology of work.

Helen is an external examiner for the World Maritime University, Sweden, and a member of the Editorial Board of Przestrzen Spoleczna (Social Space) international journal.

Publications include:

Articles
Short Articles
Books
SIRC Reports
Other Reports
Industry Related Publications
Chapters in Books/Articles Reproduced in Books
Industry Related Media
Conference/Seminar Papers
Book Reviews
Other

Articles

Bloor, M., Sampson, H., Baker, S., Dahlgren, K. (forthcoming) 'The instrumental use of technical doubts: technological controversies, investments and pollution in the shipping industry', Science and Public Policy.

Bloor, M., Sampson, H., Baker, S.,  Walters, D., Dahlgren, K., Wadsworth, E., James, P. (2013) 'Room for Manoeuvre? Regulatory Compliance in the Global Shipping Industry', Social & Legal Studies, doi: 10.1177/0964663912467814.

Sampson, H. (2012) 'Globalisation, Labour Market Transformation and Migrant Marginalisation: the Example of the Transmigrant Seafarers in Germany', Journal of International Migration and Integration, (DOI) 10.1007/s12134-012-0266-0.

Sampson H., Bloor, M. (2012) 'The effectiveness of Global Regulation in the shipping industry: a critical case study', Revista Latino-americana de Estudos do Trabalho (RELET), 17(28): 45-72.

Tang, L., Sampson, H. (2012) 'The interaction between mass media and the Internet in non-democratic states: the case of China', Media Culture & Society, 34(4): 457-471.

Sampson, H. (2011) 'Spilling oil, spilling blood: Cost and corporate decision making concerning safe working practices', Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, Vol 9, Issue 1, pp17-32(16).

Gekara, V., Bloor., Sampson, H. (2011) 'Computer-based Assessment in Safety-Critical Industries: The Case of Shipping', Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 63(1): 87-100.

Sampson, H., Gekara, V.O., Bloor, M. (2011) 'Water-tight or sinking? A consideration of the standards of the contemporary assessment practices underpinning seafarer licence examinations and their implications for employers', Maritime Policy & Management, 38: 1, 81-92, DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2010.533713.

Bloor, M., Fincham, B., Sampson, H. (2010) ‘Unprepared for the worst: risks of harm for qualitative researchers’, Methodological Innovations Online, 5(1): 45-55.

Ellis, N., Bloor, M., Sampson, H. (2010) 'Patterns of Seafarer Injuries', Maritime Policy & Management, 37(2): 121-128 ISSN 0308-8839.

Bloor, M., Sampson, H. (2009) 'Regulatory enforcement of labour standards in an outsourcing industry: the case of the shipping industry', Work Employment and Society, vol 23 no 4, 711-726.

Sampson, H., Bloor, M., Fincham, B. (2008) 'A Price Worth Paying? Considering the 'Cost' of Reflexive Research Methods and the Influence of Feminist Ways of 'Doing', Sociology, 42(5): 919-933.

Sampson, H. and Bloor, M. (2007) 'When Jack gets out the box: the problems of regulating a global industry', Sociology, 41(3): 551-569.

Sampson, H., Schroeder, T. (2006) ‘In the Wake of the Wave: globalization, networks, and the experiences of transmigrant seafarers in Northern Germany’, Global Networks, 6(1): 61-80.

Sampson, H. (2005) ‘Left High and Dry? The lives of women married to seafarers in Goa and Mumbai’, Ethnography, 6(1): 61-85 .

Wu, B., Sampson, H. (2005) ‘Reconsidering the Cargo Sector’s Seafarer Labor Market: A 21st Century Profile of Global Seafarers’, Ocean Yearbook, 19: 357-380, Chicago: University of Chicago.

Sampson, H. (2004) ‘Navigating the waves: the usefulness of a pilot in qualitative research’ Qualitative Research, 4(3): 383-402.

Sampson, H. (2004) ‘Romantic Rhetoric, Revisionist Reality: the effectiveness of regulation in maritime training’ Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 56(2): 245-267.

Sampson, H., Wu, B. (2003) ‘Compressing Time and Constraining Space: The Contradictory Effects of ICT and Containerisation on International Shipping Labour’ International Review of Social History, 48: 123-152.

Sampson, H., Thomas, M. (2003) ‘The social isolation of seafarers: causes, effects, and remedies’ International Maritime Health, 54 (1-4): 58-67.

Sampson, H., Thomas, M. (2003) ‘Lone Researchers at Sea: gender, risk and responsibility’ Qualitative Research, 3(2): 165-189.

Sampson, H. (2003) ‘Transnational Drifters or Hyperspace Dwellers: An exploration of the lives of Filipino seafarers aboard and ashore’ Ethnic and Racial Studies Vol. 26 No. 2 pp 253-277.
Reproduced in H Beynon and T Nichols (Eds) (2006) Patterns of Work in the Post Fordist Era, Fordism and Post-Fordism, Volume II, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 612-636, ISBN 1-84542-324-0.

Sampson, H. (forthcoming) ‘Roaming the waves: the life and work of a modern day seafarer’, Kulturaustausch – Journal for International Perspectives.

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Books

Sampson, H. (2013) International seafarers and transnationalism in the twenty-first century, Manchester University Press (MUP), ISBN 9780719088681.

Belcher, P., Lane A.D., Sampson H., Thomas, M., Veiga, J., Zhao, M. (2003) Women Seafarers: Global Employment Policies and Practices, Geneva: ILO, ISBN 92-2-113491-1.

Alderton, T., Bloor, M., Kahveci, E., Lane, T., Sampson, H., Thomas, M., Winchester, N., Wu, B., Zhao, M. (2004) The global seafarer: living and working conditions in a globalized industry, 224 pp, ILO, Geneva, ISBN 92-2-112713-3.

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SIRC Reports

Bloor, M., Baker, S., Sampson, H., Dahlgren, K. (2013), ‘Effectiveness of international regulation of pollution controls: the case of the governance of ship emissions’, Cardiff University, ISBN: 1-900174-44-8, online at www.sirc.cf.ac.uk.

Bloor, M., Baker, S., Sampson, H., Dahlgren, K. (2013) ‘Issues in the Enforcement of Future International Regulations on Ships’ Carbon Emissions’, Cardiff University, ISBN: 1-900174-45-6, online at www.sirc.cf.ac.uk.

Bailey, N., Ellis, N., Sampson, H. (2010) 'SIRC Report to the PYA on Living and Working Conditions Aboard Yachts', commissioned by the Professional Yachtsmen's Association, Aug.

Bailey, N., Ellis, N., Sampson, H. (2008) 'Training and Technology Onboard Ship: How seafarers learned to use the shipboard Automatic Identification System (AIS)', SIRC Publication, July, ISBN: 1-900174-34-0.

Ellis, N., Sampson, H. (2008) 'The Global Labour Market for Seafarers Working Aboard Merchant Cargo Ships 2003', SIRC Publication, June, ISBN: 1-900174-35-9.

Bailey, N., Ellis, N., Sampson, H. (2007) 'Perceptions of Risk in the Maritime Industry: Personal Injury', SIRC Publication, October, ISBN: 1-900174-32-4.

Bailey, N., Ellis, N., Sampson, H. (2006) 'Perceptions of Risk in the Maritime Industry: Ship Casualty', SIRC: Cardiff University, August, ISBN: 1-900174-29-4.

Winchester, N., Sampson, H., Shelly, T. (2006) ‘An Analysis of Crewing Levels: Findings from the SIRC Global Labour Market Study’, SIRC: Cardiff University, ISBN: 1-900174-27-8.

Bloor, M., Fincham, B., Sampson, H. (2007) QUALITI (NCRM) Commissioned Inquiry Into the Risk to Well-being of Researchers in Qualitative Research, Cardiff: QUALITI. 

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Industry Related Publications

Sampson, H., Ellis, N., Gould. E., Tang, L., Turgo, N., Zhao, Z. (2012) ‘Safety and Shipping 1912-2012’, Report commissioned by Allianz which underpins their subsequent publication ‘Safety and Shipping 1912-2012: From Titanic to Costa Concordia, an insurer’s perspective from Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty’ available from Allianz GCS.

Bloor, M., Sampson. H., Baker, S. (2011) Written evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee Inquiry on Sulphur Emissions by Ships.

Sampson, H. (2009) EMSA-commissioned study of computer-based assessment in association with the issue of seafarer licences (restricted access via EMSA).

Chapters in Books/Articles Reproduced in Books

Sampson, H. (forthcoming) 'Seafarers', Globalization in Practice: An A-Z Guide Oxford University Press (OUP).

Sampson, H., Thomas, M. (2013) ‘Lone Researchers at Sea: Gender, Risk and Responsibility’, Barry Smart, Kay Peggs, Joseph Burridge, (eds.) Observation Methods: Benchmarks in Social Research Methods, Sage, ISBN:  978-1-4462-0811-3, pp 165-189.

Sampson, H. (2006) ‘Transnational drifters or hyperspace dwellers: an exploration of the lives of Filipino seafarers aboard and ashore’, Ethnic and Racial Studies, 26 (2), March, 253-277, reproduced in H Beynon and T Nichols (Eds) (2006) Patterns of Work in the Post Fordist Era, Fordism and Post-Fordism, Volume II, Cheltenham:  Edward Elgar, 612-636, ISBN 1-84542-324-0.

Thomas, M., Sampson, H., Zhao, M. (2005) ‘Finding a balance: companies, seafarers and family life’, International Maritime Transport:Perspectives, edited by H Leggate, J McConville, A Morvillo, Routledge, January 2005, pp 89-109.

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Industry Related Media

Sampson, H. (2012) ‘Technology at sea goes global’, ITF Seafarers’ Bulletin 2012 (26), 17-18.

Sampson, H. (2011) Just messing about on boats? What’s to like about work aboard Yachts?, Yachting Matters, The Professional Yachtsman’s Superyacht Magazine, Edition 20 Spring/Summer 2011, www.colinsquirepublishing.com

Sampson, H. (2009) ‘The modern day challenges to seafarers’ health’, The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 197, Jan/Feb, pp4-5.

Sampson, H. (2008) 'Speaking up for better on-board welfare', The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 191, Jan/Feb pp4-5.

Sampson, H. (2006) 'Why we should talk about swimming pools', The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 184, Nov/Dec pp4-5.

Sampson, H. (2006) 'Learning at sea', The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 179, Jan/Feb, pp4-5.

Sampson, H. (2004) ‘Global wage for global workers’, The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 167, Jan/Feb, pp4-5.

Sampson, H. (2003) ‘Authority and Accidents: The role of power relations and social interaction in accidents and incidents at sea’, Seaways, pp4-7.

Sampson, H. (2002) ‘Destructive obedience and the importance of seafarer training’, The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 160, Nov/Dec, pp4-5.

Sampson, H., Thomas, M. (2000) ‘The modern approach to leisure and recreation aboard merchant ships: do it yourself!’, The Sea, London: Mission to Seafarers, Issue 146, Jul/Aug.

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Conference/Seminar Papers

Sampson, H. (2013) ‘Multicultural crews: effective communication and safe manning’, The 16^th European Manning & Training Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 14-15 May.  

Sampson, H. (2012) 'An interim report from a study of ship emissions undertaken at SIRC', Sustainability and Shipping Seminar organised by the centre for Business Relationships Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS), Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay, 29 May.

Sampson H., (2012) ‘Assessing new shipboard technology & training provision for seafarers’, The 5th Manning & Training in India Conference, Mumbai, India, 19-20 April.

Sampson, H. (2011) ‘Maritime careers: recruiting and retaining women seafarers’, The 14^th European Manning & Training Conference, Black Sea Crewing, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-13 May.

Sampson, H. (2011) 'Design and Wellbeing: How Ships Impact on Performance', The 2nd IMarEST Marine Failure Conference 2011, London, 3-7 April.

Sampson, H. (2010) ‘Seafarer Welfare in the 21^st Century’ The Nautical Institute West of Scotland Branch Seminar: 2010 year of the Seafarer Challenges and Opportunities, The Tall Ship, Glasgow Harbour, Scotland, 21 May.

Sampson, H. (2010) ‘Globalization, labour market transformation, and the marginalisation of transmigrant seafarers in the twenty-first century’, XV11 ISA (International Sociological Association) World Congress of Sociology, Gothenburg, Sweden, 11-17 July.

Sampson, H. (2010) 'Undertaking Maritime Related Social Science Research', Keynote Address, The International Seminar on Maritime Research in Academia & Industries, Chennai, India, 6 February.

Sampson, H. (2009) Keynote Speaker, International Maritime English Conference (IMEC), University of Szcecin, Poland, 6-8 October.

Bloor, M., Sampson, H. (2009) ‘Regulatory enforcement of labour standards in a globalised industry: the case of the shipping industry’, British Sociological Association Annual Conference, Cardiff, 16-18 April.

Sampson, H. (2009) ‘Pressures on safety: the implications of outsourcing in the maritime industry’, CWERC Paradoxes of the supply chain and workers' health and safety Conference, Cardiff University, 3 March.

Bloor, M., Sampson, H. (2007) ‘An alternative to the concept of stress as the linking mechanism between work and ill-health?’, Interdisciplinary.net, 6th Global Conference on Making Sense of Health, Illness and Disease, Oxford 9-11 July.

Sampson, H., Wu, B. (2007) ‘Thoughts on safety: the views of Chinese seafarers’, SIRC Symposium 2007, Cardiff University, 4-5 July, ISBN 1-900174-31-6

Sampson, H. (2007) ‘Seafaring: A Third World Occupation?’, Proceedings of the 10th European Manning and Training Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 23-24 May.

Bloor, M., Fincham, B., Sampson, H. (2006) ‘Dangerous Fieldwork: an inquiry for the ESRC National Centre of Research Methods’ and ‘Gender aspects of dangerous fieldwork’ (combined) ESRC Research Methods Festival, St Catherine's College, Oxford, 17-20 July.

Sampson, H., Thomas, M., (2005) ‘Skilled Seafarer shortage: Could Women be the Answer?’, LSM 8^th European Manning and Training Conference, Questioning the opportunities and challenges of the future, Riga, Latvia, 10-11 May.

Sampson, H.  (2004) discussant at the 7th International Conference on Philippine Studies (ICOPHIL 7) on ‘The Filipino Seafarer: Governance, Globalization and the Human Element at Sea’, Leiden University, The Netherlands, 16-19 June.

Sampson, H., (2004) ‘Avoiding accidents, safeguarding seafarers: an exploration of the erosion of safety standards at sea’, The Anglo-Eastern Seminar, Mumbai, India, 18-19 February.

Sampson, H., (2003) ‘Powerful unions vulnerable workers: the representation of seafarers in the global labour market’, Brazilian Congress of Anthropologists and Sociologists (ANPOCS).

Sampson, H., (2003) ‘A report on the research findings of an international  pilot study of merchant officer training that was completed in March 2003 and took place in the Philippines, Singapore and the UK’, the 5th Manning and Training Conference, Future challenges and expectations in this every changing world.

Sampson, H., (2003) ‘Breaking away’, Manchester Metropolitan University, ESRC Seminar Series: Global Society.

Sampson, H., (2002) ‘Tyrants and Teamwork: The role of Power Relations and Social Interaction in Accidents and Incidents at Sea’, MARTECH 2002, 5th International Conference & Exhibition, Maritime Accidents, Is Simulation the Answer? 18-20 September, Singapore Polytechnic.

Sampson, H., Thomas, M., (2002) ‘Health and Safety at Sea: Social Factors a Neglected Dimension’, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Human Factors on Board (ISHFOB), Bremen, ISBN 3-00-008365-0.

Bloor M, Kahveci E, Sampson H, Thomas M (2001) ‘Worse things happen at sea: safety rules and procedures on merchant cargo ships’, Work, Employment & Society Conference, University of Nottingham, 11-13 September.

Thomas, M., Sampson, H., Zhao, M., (2001) ‘Behind the Scenes: Seafaring and Family Life’, SIRC Symposium Proceedings 2, Cardiff: SIRC, 117-143, ISBN 1-900174-16-2.

Sampson H., and Zhao M., (2000) Jobs, Jokes, and Jibes: the Importance of Effective Communication in the Operation of Ships with Multi-ethnic Crews, IMLA WOME 2A Dalian, China, 15-20 October.

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Book Reviews

Sampson, H. (2008) Review of ‘Flagging Standards – Globalisation and Environmental, Safety, and Labour Regulations at Sea’ by Elisabeth R. DeSombre. The MIT Press, London, 2006, xi +308 pp., ISBN 0 262 54190 4 in British Journal of Industrial Relations (BJIR) an International Journal of Employment Relations, 46, 4, 822-823, ISSN 0007-1080 (print), 1467- 8543 (online), ww3.interscience.wiley.com

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Other

Sampson, H. (2011) Panel Speaker at The Shipping Industry Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum, London, 27 October.

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