John conducted research in the Canadian North on human impacts on the northern environment and how humans adapted to the environment. His many field seasons in the Arctic, beginning in 1952 at Resolute, include the Mackenzie Delta, the Canadian Reindeer Herd, Old Crow in Yukon, Baker Lake, and Chesterfield Inlet. In 1981 he studied the Inuit Cooperative in the Northwest Territories and Nuveau Quebec. He was instrumental in establishing the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) which serves as an important forum for research issues in Northern Canada, and helped the federal government establish the Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP) which continues to fund travel costs for graduate students to conduct field research in the Canadian Arctic.

Member, Canadian Polar Commission. Former Assistant Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, UBC (1969-1975). Former Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, UBC (1975-1990). Research Planning Committee, Sustainable Forest Management Network/NCE 1996 2005; Chair 1998 2005; Strategic Planning Committee 2005 2010, Chair 2009 – 2010.

Research interests focus on geography of the Arctic; human adaptation to, and impact upon, the Canadian North.