Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch Fellowship for Political Science

During the 2024-2025 academic year, two UM students were selected for the Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch Fellowship. JCB Fellows receive $1,500 of research funds each to complete a research project in the field of International Relations or Comparative Politics, involving one or more East Asian countries/territories (including China, Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR) and their engagement with the rest of the world. The award is named after Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, a Chinese American diplomat who has more than 60 years of experience in public and non­profit service. She has had an illustrious career in international affairs, beginning as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sabah, Malaysia and culminating as US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal, the first ambassador of Asian descent in US history.

Ambassador Bloch is the founder and Executive Chair of the US-China Education Trust, a Washington, DC-based NGO that supports US-China relations through education and exchange that promote dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding.  

Learn more about our 2024-2025 Fellows below:

Saba Naseem

Saba Naseem



Saba’s project investigates the intersection of mental health policies and cultural influences in China. Utilizing a combination of literature review, qualitative interviews, quantitative data analysis, and case studies, her research analyzes how Confucian values, collectivism, and globalization shape perceptions of mental health and drive policy reform. She aims to explore the influence of traditional values and stigma on mental health treatment in China, the effects of globalization on policy reforms, and the effectiveness of international collaborations in addressing cultural needs. This project aspires to develop culturally sensitive policy recommendations that enhance mental health access, reduce stigma, and promote international best practices in mental health governance across East Asia.


Thomas Matos

Thomas Matos

Thomas’ project explores the influence of U.S.-China competition in the green technology sector on Japan’s environmental policies and its role in trilateral climate diplomacy. This research examines how Japan, as an innovator in green technology and a key diplomatic actor, balances its relationships with the U.S. and China amid growing tension between the two superpowers. Through case studies and key interviews, this project assesses the implications of these dynamics for global climate efforts, particularly in the areas of electric vehicle production and renewable energy development, and Japan's contributions to international environmental cooperation.

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