Samir is a moderator and researcher specializing in issues relating to public policy, media, and culture. At DECODE, he has designed a variety of public sector projects in the fields of health promotion, anti-discrimination and cultural policy. He joined DECODE in August of 2004, having spent over 10 years working in communications and marketing with the Government of Canada. He is an active musician, and works as a studio musician with artists in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal. Samir is currently on the Board of Directors of www.musicgallery.org the Music Gallery and has a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University. He is also the office's Contrarian-in-Residence, a position he created for himself in 2005, while scowling.