Currently writing for The Wall Street Journal, Matthew Kronsberg examines how material choices and environmental systems shape consumer experiences. His work sits at the intersection of three beats:
We’ve followed Matthew Kronsberg’s work across publications like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Grist, where he masterfully dissects how everyday objects and environmental systems shape modern living. His reporting combines consumer psychology, material science, and ecological awareness into narratives that resonate with both general audiences and industry professionals.
Kronsberg’s trajectory reveals a consistent focus on tangible impacts of design choices. Early pieces explored kitchen appliances’ lifespan (WSJ), while later work expanded to examine:
This 2,100-word investigation for The Wall Street Journal combined product teardowns with interviews from industrial designers and repair technicians. Kronsberg revealed how planned obsolescence in $150-$400 coffee machines creates 28,000 tons of annual e-waste. His methodology included:
“The average drip coffee maker contains 43 proprietary parts compared to a commercial espresso machine’s 18 standardized components—an intentional barrier to repair.”
The article sparked reader campaigns for right-to-repair legislation in three states and remains a reference in sustainable design courses.
In this NDTV Profit feature, Kronsberg profiled how NASA-derived aerogel technology entered luxury markets. He tracked:
The piece became required reading for materials engineering programs at MIT and ETH Zurich, praised for making advanced composites accessible to non-specialists.
For Grist, Kronsberg spent six months documenting how warmer winters disrupt pest control cycles in Northeastern orchards. Key revelations included:
“Farms aren’t dormant in winter—they’re conducting invisible chemistry that determines next season’s harvest.”
Kronsberg prioritizes technologies bridging laboratory research and consumer markets. His aerogel jewelry piece exemplifies interest in commercially viable advanced materials. Pitches should highlight:
The coffee maker investigation demonstrates his systems-thinking approach. Successful pitches will frame products as:
Kronsberg’s agriculture reporting artfully balances data with narrative. Effective sources provide:
His 2023 series on urban vertical farming’s energy paradox made Kronsberg a finalist in the Food Coverage category. The judges noted his “uncommon ability to make kilowatt-hour discussions compelling to casual readers.”
Selected for the 2022 SEJ mentorship program, Kronsberg worked with Pulitzer-winning climate reporters to develop his agricultural ecosystems framework.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Lifestyle, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
