100 Years of DAAD Alumni: Bruce Spencer

Which DAAD program did you receive support through?

I received a DAAD Research Stay grant which enabled me to spend six weeks at the TU Darmstadt and another six at the Uni Koblenz

What comes to mind when you think of your DAAD experience in Germany?

I used this grant during my first sabbatical from the University of New Brunswick in **** to visit several luminaries in my field whom I had met during an academic conference. These were Uli Furback in Koblenz and Wolfgang Bibel in Darmstadt. Dr. Bibel had just been granted major funding for a research program in Deduction, which was the field I had made contributions to in my PhD studies at the University of Waterloo, Canada. The DAAD allowed me to deepen my connection to these important scientists and both were encouraging and supportive of my work.

I have had many wonderful experiences in Germany over the years in addition to that stay, including two stays at Schloss Dagstuhl, the Leibniz Center for Informatics and a world leader in computer science research.

When you think of your time in Germany , are there any  impressions, memories, or reflections that come to mind?

I found the German people at least as friendly as Canadians from the Atlantic Maritime Provinces, who take pride in their friendliness. I also found people were very good at their jobs and very professional.

What impact did this experience have on your career? Your life?

I was able to make many connections and to invite people from Germany back to Canada, and to help some become faculty members in Canadian Universities.

Is there anything you wish you had known before you went to Germany?

I wish I had realized that it is much more convenient not to rent a car when you have multiple locations to visit. I knew the Deutsche Bahn was excellent, but I decided to rent a car. Only later did I realize that one could meet people on the train, and relax while travelling.

What advice would you give a scholar thinking of applying to a DAAD program?

Plan to stay the full period of time and longer, especially if you are on a sabbatical year, Plan to travel with family, and to see many beautiful places. Feel free to talk about life in Canada, and share person experiences as well as research.