Hello, and welcome to my webpage!

My name is John K. Bonilla-Aranzales, and I am a doctoral candidate in Political Science at The Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri, Columbia. My research interests explore the intersections linked to political institutions in the Global South, cyberspace, and peace studies. 

My doctoral dissertation focuses on the design and effects of peacemaking referendums in the Global South. Peacemaking referendums are powerful but risky conflict resolution mechanisms. They can help to change the status quo in an intrastate armed conflict context, but their use can sometimes worsen the relationship between the rulers and the ruled. To undertake my research, I use a mixed-methods approach to emphasize a strategic analytical narrative that executive leaders propose to make a desired change to the status quo a reality. By analyzing case studies from various countries in the Global South, I aim to contribute to understanding the potential and risks of using peacemaking referendums to end intrastate armed conflicts. 

Before starting my doctoral studies, I worked at two public universities in Colombia, supporting internationalization and international cooperation activities with partners worldwide. This experience helped me develop a passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, which I hope to bring to new academic endeavors. 

Thank you for visiting my webpage, and please feel free to reach out if you would like to connect or discuss any of my research interests.