DAAD New York Visits the Bay Area
DAAD New York Deputy Director Peter Kerrigan visited San Francisco for high-level meetings with universities and government institutions.
To launch this year’s German research and innovation outreach across the U.S., DAAD New York’s Peter Kerrigan visited San Francisco this week for a series of high-level meetings with German-American academic and government partners. Organized by DWIH San Francisco, the visit included exchanges at UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and the German Consulate General, underscoring our joint plans to deepen transatlantic research and innovation ties on the U.S. West Coast in 2026.
As Deputy Director of the DAAD New York Office and Director of Marketing and Development for DAAD USA, Peter brings a wealth of experience in transatlantic research and innovation partnerships. At UC Berkeley’s Institute of European Studies, discussions with Director Mia Fuller and visiting DAAD Professor Stefan Laffin addressed current political challenges to funding and academic freedom, as well as strategies to sustain research focused on Europe. At San Francisco State University, an exchange with Assistant Vice President Marilyn Jackson centered on international student exchange and existing cooperation with German universities through international study programs.
At the German Consulate General San Francisco, Deputy Consul General Franciska Obermeyer and Scientific Liaison Officer Beate Antonich highlighted the Federal Foreign Office’s strategic priorities for international academic cooperation, reinforcing the close links between foreign policy and research. A meeting at the Consulate with German educators from Bay Area international schools further explored shared concerns, including tuition affordability and pathways to German higher education for California-educated students.
It was a pleasure to welcome Peter to San Francisco, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in person soon.
To learn more about DAAD’s international scholarship programs for students and researchers, please check the DAAD Scholarship Database. For more information about DAAD USA, please click here.