Fulbright Specialists Bringing Innovation to Iceland

In the past few months, Fulbright Iceland has welcomed several Fulbright Specialists to work with Icelandic institutions across a wide range of fields. A few of these Specialist projects have been focused on innovation and new initiatives.  Steven Kern from Global Health Labs and the University of Utah visited the University of Iceland Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in March and April where he held a workshop for students and researchers. Kern brought extensive experience from global health and biomedical innovation to discussions on how new ideas can be funded, developed and brought into practice, particularly in settings where resources are limited. Dr. Kern also delivered a talk at KLAK Icelandic Startups on Bringing Innovation to Low Resource Countries, focusing on funding opportunities and strategies for innovators and entrepreneurs working in the health sector.

Nina Ekholm Fry, Director of Equine Programs at the University of Denver’s Institute for Human-Animal Connection, worked with the Equine Science Program at Hólar University (now University of Iceland at Hólar) in May where she assisted with the organization and facilitation of a national multidisciplinary conference on Animal-Assisted Services and consulted with faculty on the development of a new graduate program in the field. Other Fulbright Specialists to Iceland recently were Dr. Katherine Pukinskis, composer and assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University, who worked with the Music, Innovation, Technology program at the Iceland University of the Arts and David Anderson, adjunct professor for Gospel Ensemble at University of Miami Frost School of Music, whose Specialist project you can read about elsewhere in this newsletter.

Now is the time for Icelandic institutions to plan and apply for Fulbright Specialist projects starting after January 1, 2027. To learn more about how your institution can host a Fulbright Specialist, visit our website.