February 15, 2007
Interview with Professor Hans Spada, vice-rector of Freiburg University
EJOP Editor
Mihaela Popa Chraif
Professor Spada took his PhD at University of Vienna in 1969.Since 1980 Chair of Psychology Professor Spada is the head of the “Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychologie” Cognition-Emotion-Communication, Department of Psychology, University of Freiburg. The main fields of research of Dr. Spada are: cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer supported coopera¬tive learning, environmental psychology. Also, Prof. Spada was reviewer for the „Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)“,European Science Foundation, European Commission, Volkswagen-Stiftung, SNF, president of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs) 1994-96, past president 1996- 1998 and dean of the Faculty of Economics and Behavioral Sciences, University of Freiburg.
Others contribution to the scientific life are the followings:
- Initiator of the Graduiertenkolleg (PhD-Program) „Menschliche und Maschinelle Intelligenz“ (Human and Machine Intelligence) (1993-2002, Chairman: 1993-1998);
- Initiator and Chairman of the European Science Foundation Program „Learning in Humans and Machines“ (1994-97);
- Initiator and Chairman of the DFG-Program „Globale Umweltveränderungen: sozial und verhaltenswissenschaftliche Dimensionen“ (Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change) (1995-2001);
- Vice chairman of the Graduierten-Kolleg (PhD-Program), Knowledge Acquisition and Knowledge Exchange with the New Media (1999-2004).
Professor Spada is member of the Academia Europea, DGPs, EARLI, APS, Cognitive Science Society and author/editor/coeditor of nine books (Modelle des Denkens und Lernens, 1976; Structural models of thinking and learning, 1977; Developmental models of thinking, 1980; Studien zur Denkentwicklung, 1981; Wissenspsychologie, 1988; Lehrbuch Allgemeine Psychologie, 1990; Computer models for experiential learning, 1993; Learning in humans and machines: Towards an interdisciplinary learning science, 1995; Wissen, 1998, Environmental risks, 2001; Barriers and biases in computer-mediated knowledge communication, 2005) and author/coauthor of about 90 pa¬pers, published in German or English.
EJOP: Professor Spada, how do you see the International Conference „ A Century of Psychology at the Bucharest University?”
Prof. Spada: Looking back to this conference I would like to mention several points: I was very impressed by the number of participants. Before coming to Bucharest I would not have thought that so many senior and junior scientists are engaged in psychological research.
The conference had a special feature. Not only were papers presented in English, in French, and in Romanian. The type of questions asked and methods used showed a very interesting variety of approaches.
Discussing the work of junior scientists in front of their posters I learned about their engagement and competence. But it was also clear, that it would make much sense to further improve their skills to write scientific papers and proposals. I would be happy to contribute in helping to instruct these junior scientists in these skills.
EJOP:. Professor Spada, what can you tell us about the mutual relationship between the Romanian and German Psychologists?
Prof. Spada: The relationship between Romanian and German psychology has a long tradition, starting with the fathers of German and Romanian Psychology, like Wilhelm Wundt and his students Constantin Radulscu Motru, Eduard Gruber and Florian Stefanescu Goanga. To-day we art looking forward to a new exchange of ideas and concepts. I am sure that Romanian psychology will become a strong partner for German Psychology in particular and European Psychology in general. Maybe the well-known creativity of Romanian art is also enriching the thinking of Romanian psychologist and adding a special flavor. And of course we have to be aware of the black years of our history. Psychology in Romania and in Germany has not only to work to help people to live better lives, but also to reject totalitarian ideas in all their expressions.
EJOP: .Regarding your talk „Cooperation among Spatially Distributed Experts: Assessment and Promotion in Computer-Mediated Settings”, what can you tell us?
Prof. Spada: Collaboration between people working at different places, often even different countries is growing in importance. There are new technological solutions for this collaboration, which open up new ways. One field of fruitful net-based collaboration is scientific cooperation between scientists from different countries but also virtual teaching and learning scenarios in which scientists teach and advise students working in other areas of the world. In my research group we have developed several psychological methods to improve this type of collaboration. One field of application is Ph.D. programs bringing together students and faculty of different universities. We have learned how to manage and optimize such programs. To mention just one result, we have found how relevant face-to-face meetings are for a fruitful subsequent net-based collaboration. Some of our findings could be used in developing joint programs.
EJOP: Professor Spada, do you think it is possible to promote good intercultural communication between the students from Freiburg University/Department of Psychology and the students from Bucharest University/Faculty of Psychology focused on experience exchange?
Prof. Spada: As I said before, it is necessary to meet each other face to face before it makes sense to use the new electronic means for scientific cooperation. There are intercultural differences. But they are positive. They make an exchange lively and colorful. On the other hand, for scientific research and teaching international criteria and global standards apply, to which we all have to adept if we want to be successful in our research, the publications and the proposals for papers at international conferences.
EJOP: How do you see the collaboration between people with different expertise, working at different places?
Prof. Spada: This is really a very interesting field for psychology. We have to promote the competences of the people to collaborate on interdisciplinary problems, because many of the problems to-day can only be solved on an interdisciplinary basis and interdisciplinary collaboration is not easy. And we have to promote the skills to use electronic means for this collaboration. We have developed a theoretical framework to promote and to assess these competences and skills which is based on the following nine dimensions: Sustaining mutual understanding, dialog management information pooling, reaching consensus, task division, time management, technical coordination, reciprocal interaction and individual task orientation (motivation).
EJOP: „Looking ahead” what can you tell us about the „First Romanian German Round Table Meeting for research?”
Prof. Spada: In October this year the First Romanian German Round Table Meeting for Research took place to deepen the scientific cooperation and exchange between the two countries. Representatives of the German Science Foundation, the Max Planck Society and several other German institutions and of the Romanian Academy and the National University Council discussed possibilities to promote common initiatives. Up to now the focus was on mathematics, chemistry and physics. But why psychology should do not play a substantial part in further initiatives of this type. They might bring together psychologists on different levels, be it an exchange of students between universities, a general scientific exchange between universities not only in psychology, but also contacts between the Psychological Societies of Romania and Germany.
EJOP: Professor Spada, taking in consideration the Romanian integration in UE, how can you predict the future collaboration between Romania and Germany?
Prof. Spada: It is my firm conviction that the collaboration between Romania and Germany is going to increase substantially. Psychology should play a relevant role in this collaboration.