a b s t r a c tThere are new opportunities for the application of problem structuring methods to address science and technology risk conflicts through stakeholder dialogue. Most previous approaches to addressing risk conflicts have been developed from a traditional risk communication perspective, which tends to construct engagement between stakeholders based on the assumption that scientists evaluate technologies using facts, and lay participants do so based on their values. 'Understanding the facts' is generally privileged, so the value framings of experts often remain unexposed, and the perspectives of lay participants are marginalized. When this happens, risk communication methodologies fail to achieve authentic dialogue and can exacerbate conflict. This paper introduces 'Issues Mapping', a problem structuring method that enables dialogue by using visual modelling techniques to clarify issues and develop mutual understanding between stakeholders. A case study of the first application of Issues Mapping is presented, which engaged science and community protagonists in the genetic engineering debate in New Zealand. Participant and researcher evaluations suggest that Issues Mapping helped to break down stereotypes of both scientists and environmental activists; increased mutual understanding; reduced conflict; identified common ground; started building trust; and supported the emergence of policy options that all stakeholders in the room could live with. The paper ends with some reflections and priorities for further research.

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Detainees of large urban jails have many health risks including injuries related to violence and firearms. A survey of 582 randomly selected detainees entering the Cook County Department of Corrections during the summer of 1994 found that 51 percent had previously entered hospitals for violence-related injuries, and 26 percent survived prior gunshot wounds. Patterns of firearm injuries were different from patterns of violence affecting the general population. Factors common to those with prior firearm injuries included witnessing a shooting at an early age, tattoos, previous sexually transmitted diseases, easy access to a semiautomatic weapon, and prior incarceration. Implications and prevention strategies are discussed.

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Much of the traditional discussion on science and society engagement has concentrated on the role (and even duties) of citizens in response to science, and on attempts to scientise civilian consciousness to appreciate the benefits of scientific progress. Irwin's (1995) concept of "Citizen Science" was an important milestone in our understanding of "science and society" relations, which focused attention on the needs and concerns of citizens and looked to a new form of science "enacted by citizens themselves" (Irwin 1995: ix). In this paper, I consider the other side of the science and society relationship by focusing on the scientist as citizen. Over time, a significant minority of scientists have been active in raising public concerns around the social impacts of science and technology, particularly around biotechnology and nanotechnology. This paper presents results from a New Zealand study that engaged scientists with community groups in dialogue about biotechnology. I discuss how this may represent an emerging form of scientific reflexivity and consider the implications for future engagement practice.