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
Explore Our Research
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Factors Contributing to the Demographic Cliff: More U.S. Women of Childbearing Age, but Fewer Have Given Birth
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that in 2024 there were 5.7 million more childless women of prime child-bearing age than would have been expected given fertility patterns prior to the Great Recession. Read the brief.
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Can the Government Control Hurricanes? New Survey Results on Conspiracies and Science
In this perspectives brief, author Lawrence Hamilton explores the results of a nationwide 2025 survey that asked over 1,000 people whether they agreed with conspiratorial claims such as government control of hurricanes, flat Earth, or faked Moon landings. Read the perspectives brief.
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Clean Energy as Economic Development: An Analysis of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
In this perspectives brief, authors Megan Mahajan and Eric Hangen discuss new analysis by Energy Innovation (EI), a nonpartisan energy and climate policy think tank, that has now estimated how far the GGRF will go toward its economic development goals. Read the brief.
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In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that New National Center for Health Statistics data for 2024 show a slight increase in annual births and the birth rate from 2023. Read the brief.
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Introducing the NH ECE Research Consortium Newsletter!
The New Hampshire Early Care and Education (NH ECE) Research Consortium newsletter shares updates and activities relevant to ECE research, including upcoming events, recent research publications, and networking opportunities. Interested in hearing the latest Consortium news? Sign up for the newsletter.
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Modest Population Gains Widespread in New Hampshire Counties
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that New Hampshire’s population reached 1,409,032 on July 1, 2024, an increase of 6,800 since July 2023, according to new Census Bureau estimates. Read the brief.
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Covid Mortality Diminished but Low Fertility Means Deaths Still Exceeded Births in More Than Two-Thirds of U.S. Counties
In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that only 3,606,000 babies were born in the United States between July 2023 and July 2024, according to new Census Bureau estimates. This is 43,000 fewer babies than the year before, which barely exceeds the 43-year low in 2020–2021. Read the brief.
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Reach and Utility of the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program
In the fifth primer of the Granite Guide to Early Childhood series, authors Harshita Sarup and Jess Carson describe the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program after recent policy changes. Read the primer.
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Domestic Migrants and Dollars Flowed to New Hampshire During the Pandemic
In this brief, authors Kenneth Johnson and Tyrus Parker report that during the pandemic era from 2020 to 2022 New Hampshire gained both people and income from migration to the state. Read the brief.
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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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Interested in writing for the Carsey School?
The value of writing for Carsey is in exposure to new, public audiences. To learn more about how you can empower your research, visit the Writing for the Carsey School of Public Policy webpage.
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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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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 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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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.
Explore Our Centers
Is a Master's Degree in Public Policy Worth It?
Kennedy's Path from State House to Director of Federal Government Relations
What can you do with a master's degree in Public Policy (MPP)? Is the degree worth it? If you ask MPP alum Kennedy Nickerson '17G, the value far outweighs the investment.
"I would absolutely say that earning my master's degree from the Carsey School has paid off because in DC in particular, an MPP is gold...it will set you apart from the broader pool of applicants."
Kennedy now serves as the Director of Federal Government Relations for National Grid, but her path to policy leadership began well before her master's degree. As a kid, she spent time protesting the Iraq War alongside her mom and writing letters to the president about equal opportunities in professional sports.
That early drive to create change pushed her to pursue public policy, where she could help prevent harm and shape systems before people fall through the cracks.
Upcoming Events
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December312:00pm - 12:45pm, Join NH Listens for a 45-minute informative and interactive session aimed at sharing bite-sized tips and resources from our toolbox for community engagement and facilitation.This session on Recruiting a Mix of Perspectives will help you explore best practices and strategies for authentic recruitment of diverse perspectives—especially voices that are often missing from public dialogue—as well as cultivating a welcoming and productive environment for all participants.
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December108:00am - 9:00am, How are rising housing costs affecting students, working families, and individuals across New Hampshire—and what can be done to expand affordability in our region and state? Join us for a timely conversation with Emmy Ham, Executive Director of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to community education and engagement to advance diverse, attainable housing options for the regional workforce.Together we will:Review the ...
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Recent News
Faculty Excellence Celebration Recognizes Outstanding UNH Educators
Faculty Excellence Celebration Recognizes Outstanding UNH Educators
Annual event highlights faculty members from all UNH campuses
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Building a Better Childcare System in New Hampshire
Building a Better Childcare System in New Hampshire
Carsey School's Jess Carson on the complex challenges Granite State families are facing
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