Dr. Thomas Babila Sama, PhD

I am Dr. Thomas Babila Sama, Ph.D. Academically, I am holder of a BA, MA and Ph.D degrees. My BA degree is in Anthropology obtained from the University of Yaounde 1 - Cameroon, while my MA and PhD degrees are in Social Sciences, major in Social and Public Policy, both obtained from the University of Jyväskylä - Finland. Besides, I am also holder of a Post Graduate Certificate In Education obtained from the Teacher Education College of Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences - Finland, and a Teachers' Grade 1 Certificate obtained from Government Teachers Training College, Kumba - Cameroon. My research interests include: non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the third sector, civil society, social and public policy, migration and addiction research, specifically, alcohol and gambling policy research. Professionally, currently, I work as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki - Finland. Beside my academic and professional work in Finland, I also work as a volunteer in civil society organizations to promote multiculturalism and inclusion in Finland. For instance, I have been President of the African Association of Central Finland and a board member of FARE-Network established in 1999 in Vienna, as an umbrella NGO whose membership includes fans, community and NGO groups, player unions and football associations from mostly EU countries, with the aim to tackle discrimination on the grounds of racism and homophobia and social exclusion, within football and in society.