Dartmouth hosts conference to examine youth violence

Posted 10/03/01

On Saturday, November 3, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dartmouth College will host a free, public Science Congress to examine "Violence in Adolescence." Expert panelists will tackle the timely issues of adolescent development, psychiatry, psychology, advocacy and justice at this daylong symposium.

Nationwide, there are increasing reports of children and teenagers displaying aggressive behavior and participating in violent crimes. To address this disturbing trend, this event turns to the sciences. What has our knowledge about the development of the adolescent brain contributed to our understanding of youth violence? Is there a relationship between youth violence, media and public policy? What is it like to be incarcerated during adolescence? What can be done to prevent violence in adolescence?

"Violence in adolescence desperately needs the attention of our academic community. Getting to the roots of the issue, whether biologic, behavioral or sociologic, and refocusing on advocacy and justice seems a contribution we can make at Dartmouth," said Lee Witters, the Eugene W. Leonard 1921 Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Director of Dartmouth's Human Biology Program (Humanitates Vitae). "We hope this program will initiate a lasting dialogue and will inspire action from our diverse community."

This third Student Science Congress is intended to draw students into timely, complex and often controversial matters, where they are encouraged to explore issues from a variety of angles, taking an interdisciplinary approach. After delving into "Violence in Adolescence," the students will vote on a series of questions as a way to gauge public opinion and provoke further discussion.

This free Student Science Congress is open to the public. It will be held at Cook Auditorium, Tuck Drive, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. Click here for more information about the Science Congress, the issues surrounding adolescent violence and the sponsors of this event.

Participants expected:

• Abigail Baird, Ph.D., Research Associate, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.
• The Honorable Joseph Brandolino, Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court, California Governor's Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, Calif.
• Sister Janet Harris, P.B.V.M., Prison Chaplain, Advocate for Adolescents, Central Juvenile Hall, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Jerome Kagan, Ph.D., Research Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
• Bryan King, M.D., Prof. of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H., Section Chief and Chair of Child Psychiatry, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H.
• Adrian Raine, D.Phil., Professor of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Marlon Rivera, college student, former juvenile offender
• Vincent Schiraldi, President, Center for Juvenile and Criminal Justice, Washington, D.C.
• Mary Turco, Ed.D., Visiting Professor of Women's Studies, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Media interviews with panelists can be arranged by calling the Office of Public Affairs at (603) 646-3661.