Sam Shirley-Beavan is a Research Analyst for the Public Health and Social Policy team at Harm Reduction International (HRI), where he conducts original research and analysis into harm reduction trends around the world.

Since 2018, Sam has been a co-author of the Global State of Harm Reduction, a biennial report tracking developments in harm reduction worldwide. He also contributes to HRI’s other publications and briefings on a wide range of topics, including harm reduction for stimulants, gender and harm reduction, public health and social policy. His work has appeared in the Harm Reduction Journal, the Journal of Correctional Healthcare, and the Social Review, among others. 

Before joining HRI, Sam worked for the International AIDS Society’s Educational Fund, and on human rights and HIV projects in Europe and Latin America for UNICEF in Spain and the Institute of International Studies in Bolivia. He holds an MA in Conflict, Governance and International Development from the University of East Anglia and a BA in Politics and Spanish from the University of Bath. 

Sam is currently a PhD candidate in Social Policy at the University of Kent, where his work focuses on harm reduction for people who use non-injected drugs in Bogotá, Colombia, in coordination with local organisations and the University of the Andes.