The Paul Douglas Institute

The Paul Douglas Institute is a nonpartisan student-run public policy think tank. Founded and based at the University of Chicago, we empower students to independently influence public policy. We produce evidence-driven social science research that is rigorous, practical, and innovative. To ensure our research is impactful and relevant, we often work with nonprofits, government offices, and elected officials. Our founders named the organization after Senator Paul H. Douglas, a University of Chicago economist and dedicated public servant. Inspired by his life and work, we enable students to make an impact on the legislative process by applying their education to real-world questions.