Epilogue: Workshop and Plenary Discussions, and Future Directions

Abstract

Our principal aim in planning and running the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Cross-National Longitudinal Research on Human Development and Criminal Bahavior was to emphasize the direct exchange of ideas among the various longitudinal researchers in the field of criminology. Therefore we tried to restrict the full presentation of contributions during the workshop in order to gain time (and to save creative energy) for structured discussion, free debates, and sometimes even brainstorming sessions. The participants were expected to have studied the papers well in advance of the workshop or, in case the texts were distributed on the spot, to study them before the relevant sessions. This design allowed us, together with the method of revolving groups (see introductory remarks), to combine short, condensed presentations of the core papers with rather extended phases of either methodologically and/or substantially oriented communication.