Blakemore Foundation-Seattle

In 1939, our founder Thomas Blakemore traveled to Japan as a fellow with the Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA), an experience that would shape his life’s work and ultimately inspire the creation of the Blakemore Foundation.

Today, that story comes full circle.

Building on more than three decades of investing in language fluency and regional expertise, we are delighted to announce the new Blakemore–ICWA Fellowship, a two-year partnership designed to develop the next generation of specialists in East and Southeast Asia, beginning with Japan.

The fellowship combines one year of intensive advanced language study with one year of independent field research, writing, and cultural immersion, bringing together the complementary strengths of both organizations.

We are honored to support Julia Walton, the inaugural Blakemore–ICWA Fellow, as she builds on her year of advanced Japanese language study through the Blakemore Foundation and begins her next chapter of independent research in Japan this fall.

What began with Thomas Blakemore’s ICWA fellowship nearly a century ago continues through a new generation of individuals whose work depends on deep language fluency, cultural insight, and regional expertise.

This partnership reflects Blakemore’s continuing commitment to creating innovative pathways for meaningful engagement across Asia.

Read the full announcement: https://bit.ly/Blakemore-ICWA

Congratulations to Julia Walton, our inaugural Blakemore–ICWA Fellow, and to our colleagues at ICWA on this exciting new partnership.

We’re proud to see a connection that began with Thomas Blakemore’s own ICWA fellowship in Japan come full circle through a new generation of scholars.

Meet our 2026-27 Blakemore Freeman Fellows, heading to Yokohama.

This fall, David Mendoza and Emma Jean Hermacinski will begin the 2026-27 academic year at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies. David is building toward a career as a Foreign Service Officer strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. Emma Jean is writing the English-language history of a pivotal moment in Japanese nation-building that has gone largely untold for decades. Both are doing work where Japanese fluency is essential.

They are a fitting close to a cohort that spans five countries, five languages, and careers across science, government, diplomacy, scholarship, and the arts. To every member of our 2026-27 cohort, congratulations. This fall, the real work begins, and we are honored to be part of it.

Meet our 2026–27 Blakemore Fellow, heading to China.

Justin This will spend the year in Beijing at Tsinghua University’s Inter-University Program. His research examines how identity is expressed in online gaming communities, work that relies on understanding language as it is used in everyday digital spaces.

We look forward to seeing how this immersion deepens the insights driving his research.

Meet our 2026–27 Blakemore Foundation Fellows, heading to Taiwan.

This fall, five fellows will spend the academic year in Taipei at the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University. They come from fields including policy, research, and international affairs, where stronger Chinese will allow them to engage more directly with the people and ideas shaping their work.

We’re eager to see how this year deepens their perspectives and future work. Swipe to meet them.