When it comes to academic research, technology presents unparalleled opportunities. This is especially true within public policy, legislative, and government studies. Colleges and universities stand at the forefront of this effort, tasked with providing helpful information and shaping students into prepared professionals.

Studying public policy and government data comes with unique challenges. The sheer volume of information available can be overwhelming, making it difficult for students and researchers to pinpoint relevant data amidst the noise. Further, the existing infrastructure for accessing legislative information is often outdated, fragmented, and decidedly not user-friendly. These challenges unnecessarily complicate the policy research process.

Software tools like Plural become indispensable in this context. With best-in-class public policy data, Plural serves as a navigational aid, guiding students and researchers through the research process. Plural enables users to access, analyze, and synthesize information with greater efficiency and accuracy.

By streamlining the policy research process, Plural goes beyond enhancing academic work. Adding Plural to your University’s tech stack helps ensure that students are equipped with real-world public policy skills. Adopting software tools like Plural are a critical step towards preparing the next generation of policy leaders.

Plural for Universities

Plural has partnered with universities across the country. Through harnessing the power of Plural’s public policy intelligence tool, researchers and students can generate powerful insights into history, current trends, representation, and more. Learn more below.

Best-in-Class Public Policy Data

No matter what issue you’re researching, Plural offers an intuitive, easy-to-use solution. Plural’s best-in-class public policy data ensures that students and researchers get comprehensive information in real-time.

Plural’s suite of tools allows for efficient deep dives into legislative information. This includes:

  • Tools to discover everything there is to know about a bill
  • Legislator and staffer information
  • Historical data
  • AI-powered insights
  • And more!

Plural helps students and researchers develop real-world, comprehensive policy intelligence. Understanding the nuances of policy changes, legislative developments, and their implications sets the tone for impactful research and informed debate.

Advanced Search, Advanced Insights

With Plural, it’s easy to filter through the noise to find relevant data with advanced search capabilities. Advanced search functionality is a game-changer for public policy students and researchers. Search by keyword, legislature, session, bill status, and more. Plural helps students and researchers uncover what they’re looking for.

Precise querying ensures that they can find specific legislative documents, legislator information, and historical data relevant to their work. With easy access to the right information, students and researchers can begin generating impactful insights and knowledge. Advanced search’s helpfulness goes beyond access. It’s about enabling researchers to build a more nuanced, comprehensive understanding of policy.

Real-Time Updates

Public policy moves fast — Plural helps students and researchers discover key information quickly. With real-time notifications, Plural users never miss an update. When it comes to research, success hinges on the relevancy of the information at hand. Real-time updates ensure that research is always grounded in the most current data. This immediacy transforms students’ and researchers’ ability to contribute timely and relevant insights to academic and policy discussions, significantly enhancing their success and impact in the field.

Collaboration Without Limits

At Plural, we know that an effective education is built on knowledge-sharing and collaboration. What’s more, in the field of public policy research, where perspectives from various disciplines can enrich analysis, the ability to work together effortlessly is invaluable. That’s why we never limit collaboration.

Plural encourages seamless collaboration, breaking down traditional barriers within academic institutions. Tag legislation based on topics, and invite peers to securely collaborate on projects, even if they don’t have a Plural account. Students can even create separate secure workspaces for each project.

Seamless Organization

Public policy research can be messy. Plural helps students and researchers organize their thoughts and work. Best-in-class collaboration tools allow you to keep your peers and colleagues in the loop. Organize bills with tags, upload files, add notes and annotations, and more, all in one place.

Preparing the Next Generation

Leading institutions like Columbia University and the University of Minnesota trust Plural to enhance their students’ and researchers’ policy work.

The benefits of Plural for policy research go beyond immediate improvements to research output and collaboration. Plural plays a crucial role in preparing the next generation of policy professionals. By integrating Plural into their curriculum, universities offer a hands-on experience with the complexities of policy research. Plural equips students with the skills needed to navigate and influence policy.

As universities adapt to and incorporate technology, tools like Plural become increasingly critical. In Plural, academic institutions have a robust partner in their efforts to contribute to policy discourse and prepare students for their future.

Plural for Universities: Get Started

Plural is not just another software provider; it’s a pivotal partner for academic institutions dedicated to leading the charge in public policy research. By offering tools that enhance access to data, streamline research processes, and foster collaboration, Plural sets a new standard for academic research in the digital age.

Interested in learning more about Plural? Book a demo today!

More Resources for Public Policy Researchers

End of Session Report: Florida 2024 Legislative Session

The 2024 Florida legislative session saw significant activity in the realm of insurance and financial services, reflecting key themes of consumer protection, market stability, and regulatory modernization.

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2024 118th Congress Report

While that post-election period will include important debates regarding the funding of the government (including cash-strapped disaster relief programs) into 2025, it is safe to say that we shouldn’t anticipate any seismic shifts in policymaking as lawmakers prepare for a new Congress in January.

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2024 End-of-Session Report: New York

The recent legislative session in New York saw a significant focus on the “Employment, Labor and Professional Development” policy area, with numerous bills passed addressing a wide range of issues.

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