about

The Bonding Project is managed by founders Dr. Elisabeth “Eli” Sheff and Jess Zakira Wise, and is a subsidiary of the Center for Positive Sexuality (CPS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sex-positive education and research.

Our Story

Jess began her exploration into non-traditional relationships around 2014. During her dating journey, she found people had a hard time describing their relationship preferences, so she developed the idea for a test that could help people understand how they like to bond with others. Elisabeth immediately saw its potential and joined Jess in creating a research-backed tool to give people meaningful insights into themselves and their relationships.

Over time, many talented collaborators have contributed their creativity and expertise to shape the Bonding Project into what it is today. Our early co-founders included Chez and Kirk, who helped launch the first test and develop the bonding style framework, and later support from Eric, Jason, Julia, Lindsay, and Mike helped shape the new test and archetype model.

We extend heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and collaborators who have poured their time, care, and insight into this labor of love. The Bonding Project would not exist without your generosity and shared vision.

Dr. Elisabeth “Eli” Sheff

Dr. Elisabeth Sheff is an expert in gender and sex minorities, with specialties in polyamory, BDSM, and LGBTQ+ legal issues. Sheff has served as an expert in family, criminal, civil, and military cases. With three decades studying polyamorous families with kids and BDSM, Dr. Sheff is one of the leading experts on unconventional relationships. Sheff has a PhD in sociology and is a Certified Sexuality Educator. Media outlets from the New York Times, NPR, and the BBC to New York Magazine, Vogue, and The Atlantic have recognized Dr. Sheff as an expert in interviews. Dr. Sheff has written four books and over 30 academic articles on polyamory, BDSM, and gender/sex/relationship diversity.

Jess Zakira Wise

Jess Zakira Wise is the founder of fwb, a sex positive social club based in Los Angeles that provides education, social, and play events. She has hosted over 200 play parties and provides education and resources to organizers in the space. In addition to the Bonding Project and fwb, Jess spent 6 years running a tech company, has built numerous communities, has produced a few films, and is currently working on her first memoir.

Center for Positive Sexuality

The Center for Positive Sexuality (CPS) publishes the Journal of Positive Sexuality, hosts biannual conferences, supports research affiliates, offers internships, and provides educational and certification programs.

Because the Bonding Project is committed to education around relationship diversity—and uses its research data to inform the public, legislators, policymakers, and advocacy organizations about the wide range of relationship structures people engage in today—it aligns naturally with CPS’s mission and values. CPS serves as the umbrella organization providing nonprofit status and institutional support to the Bonding Project.

For more information about the Center for Positive Sexuality, visit positivesexuality.org.