Bethany Bronkema

Bethany Bronkema came to Reykjavík University from the United States as a Fulbright scholar in 2022. With a background in engineering and environmental studies from Swarthmore College, she used the Fulbright opportunity to deepen her skills in environmental modelling and life cycle assessment while researching the environmental impacts of aluminium production in Iceland.

Her project examined where carbon emissions occur in the aluminium production process and how emerging technologies, including inert anodes, could reduce those impacts. The experience introduced her to both Iceland’s energy-intensive industries and a wider research community working on sustainability and industrial decarbonisation.

“Sustainability is certainly a global issue, and every country or region is going to need to employ different solutions to meet climate goals.”

Building on the Fulbright Experience at ISE

After her Fulbright year, Bethany continued at Reykjavík University through the MSc Sustainable Energy Engineering programme at ISE. Her studies allowed her to build on the environmental modelling experience she had already developed while expanding into broader questions around sustainable engineering and energy systems.

Working with faculty from different technical backgrounds also shaped her research approach. Bethany combined detailed engineering analysis with systems-level environmental assessment, giving her experience across both the technical and environmental sides of sustainable engineering.

An International Perspective on Sustainability

For Bethany, studying in Iceland also reinforced the value of learning about sustainability in different national and cultural contexts. Her time in Iceland gave her the opportunity to compare approaches to energy, industry and environmental decision-making with those she had encountered in the United States.

Her experience shows how international research opportunities such as Fulbright can become a pathway into further graduate study, allowing students to build specialised skills while working across engineering, sustainability and environmental analysis.

The Fulbright Experience in Iceland

Bethany's transition to a Fulbright scholar marked a significant step into the sustainable industrial sector. In Iceland, she researched the environmental impacts of using inert anodes in aluminum production, positioning her at the forefront of efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of one of the world's most energy-intensive industries. Her research, cultural immersion, and personal development during her Fulbright tenure were transformative, blending scientific inquiry with cultural exchange.