Carsey School of Public Policy

The Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire is widely known for its research, policy education, and civic engagement work. The school publishes policy-relevant research briefs, offers four master's degree programs, and brings people together for thoughtful dialogue to address societal challenges. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a touchstone for our faculty, staff, and students as we strive to make our communities more equitable and sustainable.

Recent Publications and Upcoming Events

Social, Civic, and Institutional Trust: Necessary Conditions for a Pluralistic Democracy

In this perspectives brief, author Bruce Mallory discusses how trust in social, civic, and institutional structures is a necessary ingredient for a healthy democratic society. Read the brief.
From a Shorter Winter Season to More Storm Damage: New Hampshire Outdoor Recreation Providers Feel Climate Impacts Far More than Visitors

In this brief, the authors examine to what extent outdoor recreation providers and visitors in New Hampshire are impacted by annual climatic conditions representative of long-term trends, specifically, through the 2024–2028 New Hampshire Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Read the brief.
Population Gains Continue in New Hampshire, but the Pace Varies

In this brief, Carsey Senior Demographer Kenneth Johnson reports that New Hampshire’s population reached 1,402,054 on July 1, 2023, an increase of 24,500 residents since April 1, 2020, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Read the brief.
New Hampshire Employees Working in Small Firms Lack Access to Paid Family and Medical Leave

In total, the Paid Family and Medical Leave program has reached 14,712 workers or less than 3 percent of Granite State workers since it launched in January 2023. Read the brief.
“Hyperlocal” Career Pathway Programs in New Hampshire: Collaborating to Support Youth at the Secondary/Postsecondary Transition

In this report, author Jayson Seaman reports that cross-sector partnerships are playing a critical role in helping New Hampshire youth transition into postsecondary education and work. Read the report.
Latest Data Show All New England States Are Gaining Population

In this brief, Senior Demographer Kenneth Johnson reports that population gains were widespread in New England last year, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Read the brief.
Recent Demographic Trends Have Implications for Rural Health Care

In this brief, Senior Demographer Kenneth Johnson reports that nonmetropolitan (rural) America gained population between April of 2020 and July of 2022. In the preceding decade, rural areas lost population, both because more people left rural areas than moved to them and because births just minimally exceeded deaths. Read the brief.
A Descriptive Study of Covid-Era Movers to the Northern Forest Region: “The perfect balance of things…a choice based on lifestyle, community, and values”

The Northern Forest—a 34-county swath of northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York—saw an increase in domestic migration during the pandemic. Who moved to the region, and why? Do they intend to stay? And what does that mean for those who already lived there? Read the brief.
New Englanders’ Use of Child Care Varies by Income, Even Among Working Households

In this data snapshot, author Jess Carson reports that data from the U.S. Census Bureau collected between January and May 2023 show that access to child care remains uneven. Read the data snapshot.
New England Households Rely on a Mix of Child Care Arrangements

In this data snapshot, author Jess Carson reports that data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau between January and May 2023 show that 70 percent of New England households with a child under five use child care, and more than one-third of those rely on multiple arrangements. Read the data snapshot.
2022 New Hampshire Preschool Development Grant Needs Assessment

Dive into the needs assessment findings the New Hampshire Preschool Development Grant through two research briefs from the family needs assessment survey, including one on child care and one on program use. For infographics and more about the project, visit the webpage.
Local Civic Health: A Guide to Building Community and Bridging Divides

This seven-part guide is designed to help people at the local level collect data to better understand what factors bring people together or push them apart. The information can help communities to thrive and strengthen democracy at the local level. Read the guide.

UNH to Establish Hub for Early Childhood Education Research

The Carsey School is establishing a first-in-the-state early care and education research consortium, made possible by a $1.5 million grant from the Couch Family Foundation.

The multi-year grant will enable the Carsey School to conduct new research on early childhood care and education policy and help to build and coordinate a consortium of researchers and practitioners across the Granite State.

“This is a pivotal project that will purposefully bring together the state’s early childhood experts and stakeholders and propel us toward a research agenda that can inform both policy and action for a more robust early childhood education system in the state.” – Jess Carson, research assistant professor and director of Carsey's Center for Social Policy in Practice

The Carsey School-led consortium will include other research organizations like UNH’s Early Childhood Initiative to expand understanding beyond the challenges of access and affordability to what defines excellence in the early education classroom. Read the full article.