About > Research Negotiated Texts Approach
Impact
The impact of our research is seen primarily in three areas:
LAW
The models of both federal-level and state-level constitutional conventions produced by Quill are of legal significance in US courts. As a result, we have answered queries from government agencies and legislators about the nature of constitutional conventions or American constitutional law. We have also had invitations to train law clerks in using our platform and methodologies.
EDUCATION
Within months of the initial publication of the 1787 Constitutional Convention debates in October 2016, our platform was being used for teaching the history of the constitution in American Universities and High Schools. Since then, we have been working with a number of not-for-profit organizations to further develop materials for high-school level students. We have been able to benefit from Knowledge Exchange funding to evaluate more clearly what teachers need and how to incorporate this into the Quill platform.
Professional development
We have developed forward-looking partnerships with open enrolment universities, most especially with Utah Valley University's Center for Constitutional Studies. By creating opportunities for non-traditional students, often from very disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in cutting edge research, we have opened doors for them into legal and political careers.
“Working so closely with Dr. Cole has created a research opportunity that is found nowhere else on campus. [Three of the research assistants] now have plans for law school and [a fourth] will be going to graduate school... this project sets them apart.”