For biotechnologies to succeed in real-world conservation, we must go beyond technical feasibility and ask: What do people value? Who gets to decide? And how do we align across difference?
The AVI (Articulating Values & Interests) is a structured method for uncovering the values, motivations, and guiding principles that shape how diverse stakeholders engage with emerging technologies. It offers a grounded, systematic way to make values visible—so that scientists, community leaders, regulators, and NGOs can build alignment, trust, and shared purpose before technologies are deployed.
Developed by Dr. Gunther Weil and the team at Value Mentors, the AVI builds on over thirty years of practice in values-based leadership and cross-sector facilitation. The method has been used by more than 20,000 people across organizations worldwide, guiding decision-making in settings ranging from Harvard Kennedy School to the Federal Aviation Agency.
Values are the invisible architecture of collaboration. They are the mental frameworks that tell us what matters most—about people, ideas, activities, and ways of living. When groups have a clear understanding of their values, they are better able to prevent conflict, build trust, and work toward shared goals. AVI makes that architecture visible—so that it can be understood, respected, and designed around.
Through surveys and analysis, the AVI produces a “Values Map” that highlights the top priorities of individuals or communities. For example, when applied at the Global Community Bio Summit, the AVI revealed that Self-Actualization and Pioneerism/Progress were the most important values for leaders in the community biology movement. With insights like these, activities and collaborations can be tailored to reflect what participants truly care about—strengthening accountability and shared purpose.
Within our Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit, the AVI is a key method in the “Organize and Act” phase. It provides actionable data about the values of key stakeholders and organizations, helping us design strategies that foster alignment and collaboration in complex, multi-stakeholder contexts.
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