John Bliss

Bliss will travel through Asia and Southeast Asia with a sketchbook. He hopes to challenge himself while meeting diverse people, exploring new ways of thinking, and removing himself from inherited paradigms.

Alumni Reflections

How did the Bonderman impact your life?

“It was an incredible experience for someone interested in learning about the world with an interest in culture, justice, and creative writing. Because you visit so many places, you can’t really prepare for much of what you’ll experience. This puts you in a constant state of heightened awareness. I’d also note that spending time in China influenced my career–I’ve returned there multiple times for teaching and research.”

What are you doing now?

“I’m a social scientist and legal scholar on the tenure track at the University of Denver. Most of my research is qualitative–interviews and ethnographies where I’m immersing myself in the culture or community under study. The Bonderman experience was a big influence on my pursuit of this methodology and some of the substance of what I study–taking a global perspective on movements for social change.”