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.
Recent Publications and Upcoming Events
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New England Is Gaining Population Due to Immigration
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that New England’s population gain of 123,000 (0.8 percent) between July 2023 and July 2024 was its largest in recent years, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Read the brief.
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High Child Care Costs Strain NH Family Budgets
In the fourth primer of the Granite Guide to Early Childhood series, authors Tyrus Parker and Jess Carson discuss the cost of child care in New Hampshire.
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Migration Continues to Sustain Population Gains in Rural America
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that rural America is now gaining population again after a decade of loss. Read the brief.
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New Hampshire Residents’ Perceptions of Aquaculture Show Opportunities for Education
In this brief, authors Anna Maccaroni, Emily Whitmore, and Lindsey Williams discuss the results of a June 2024 statewide survey of New Hampshire residents to understand their perceptions of aquaculture.
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Modest Changes in Rural Voting Could Have Significant Implications in 2024
In this brief, authors Dante Scala and Kenneth Johnson estimate how much a slightly better (or worse) performance by the candidates in the rural areas of seven battleground states could influence the outcome of the 2024 election. Read the brief.
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2024 New Hampshire Civic Health Report
This report focuses on the civic health of New Hampshire from 2019 through 2024 using a specific set of indicators. The intent behind this report is that the data at the state level can be used to help both the state overall and local communities strengthen civic health. Read the Report.
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Announcing Release of Primers 2 & 3 in the Granite Guide to Early Childhood Series
Carsey's Center for Social Policy in Practice is excited to announce the release of Primers 2 and 3 of the Granite Guide to Early Childhood Series. Read Primer 2 on New Hampshire's early care and education supply. Read Primer 3 on New Hampshire's early care and education workforce.
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Announcing the Launch of the NH Early Care and Education Research Consortium
Learn about the NH Early Care and Education Research Consortium and check out these three publications released at the launch: Introduction to New Hampshire’s Child Care Sector, What Do New Hampshire Families Want For Child Care?, and Preschool Availability in New Hampshire Public Schools.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
Michael Swack Reappointed to Federal Community Development Advisory Board
September 13, 2024—The Carsey School of Public Policy is pleased to announce that Michael Swack, the Founding Director of Carsey’s Center for Impact Finance and Research Professor at UNH, has been reappointed by President Biden to the Community Development Advisory Board, a 15-person federal advisory committee to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). The function of the Advisory Board is to advise the CDFI Fund’s Director on the policies regarding the activities and programs of the CDFI Fund.
“I am pleased to congratulate and welcome this esteemed group of professionals who share the CDFI Fund’s vision of an America in which all people and communities have access to the investment capital and financial services they need to prosper,” said CDFI Fund Director Pravina Raghavan.
Carsey Director Stephen Bird commented, “The Carsey School is excited and proud of Michael Swack's reappointment to the CDFI Board. His superb expertise in this area is being appropriately recognized.” Ellen Lurie Hoffman, Carsey’s Center for Impact Finance Director, added, “Continuing to serve on the Advisory Board will enable Michael Swack to continue his role as a thought leader in community and economic development and further the mission of the Center for Impact Finance, which is to address income and wealth inequality and increase access to capital for underserved communities, through research, training, and practitioner driven solutions.”
Swack, who has served on the Advisory Board since September 2021, said, “I am honored to be reappointed to the Community Development Advisory Board for the next four years. It’s been a rewarding experience to be working with the CDFI Fund on policies and practices related to the CDFI Fund’s important work in helping provide access to capital to CDFIs—institutions that effectively invest directly in economically disadvantaged communities.”
Since its creation in 1994, the CFI Fund has awarded more than $7.4 billion to certified CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions through the CDFI Program, the Bank Enterprise Awards Program, the Capital Magnet Fund, the Financial Education and Counseling Pilot Program, and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program. In addition, the CDFI Fund has allocated more than $76 billion in tax credit allocation authority to Community Development Entities through the New Markets Tax Credit Program and guaranteed nearly $2.5 billion in bonds through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. To learn more about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please visit the CDFI Fund’s website.
The Carsey School of Public Policy is nationally recognized for research, policy education, and bringing people together for thoughtful dialogue to address important societal challenges. To learn more about its research, academic programs, and centers, please visit the Carsey School of Public Policy’s website.
Upcoming Events
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January7
noon - 1 p.m., As the 2025 UNH Sustainability Alumni Webinar Series kicks off, the Sustainability Institute and Alumni Relations are delighted to bring you a timely event that will discuss the policy we need for a sustainable future – a future that ensures a prosperous economy, resilient infrastructure, and the healthy, thriving ecosystems on which we all depend. We are delighted to introduce Dr. Stephen Bird, the new Director of the Carsey School of Public Policy to the UNH Sustainability...
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January88 a.m. - 9 a.m., Challenges and Innovation in New H a.m.pshireThe rising costs of health care and prescription drugs remain a pressing concern for Granite Staters. How could a drug approved in 1998 be the seventh costliest prescription drug for New H a.m.pshire's public employees? What does it mean for prescription drugs to be affordable and accessible? Join us to hear from Kirk Willi a.m.son, MPH, Executive Director of the New H a.m.pshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board, to learn more about how ...
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January1511:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Trust is a cornerstone of vibrant communities, and many New H a.m.pshire cities and towns benefit from strong connections and civic life. For municipal staff and officials, volunteers, and engaged citizens who value engaged communities, there may be additional pathways to foster and enhance public support and trust at the local level.Join Dr. Bruce Mallory, senior fellow at the Carsey School and co-author of the NH Civic Health Index, and Nate Bernitz, community & a.m.p; economic ...
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