Public Policy Fellowships

The Carsey Social Policy Research Fellow will support Carsey faculty and staff on a variety of research projects relevant to social policy, inequality, and community disparities. Fellows may participate in various parts of the research process pipeline, including literature reviews, data entry, analysis, and paper preperation, depending on needs and interest.

Desired Skillsets: Good attentions to detail, including for quality control and research documentation purposes; ability to work on multiple projects (priorities will be clarified); and proficiency in Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Interest in growing data and statistical skills is a bonus.

Location: UNH-Durham, New England Center, Carsey School of Public Policy

Fellowship Terms: Fall 2023, Spring 2024

Reporting to the Deputy Director of the Center for Impact Finance (CIF) at the Carsey School of Public Policy, the Fellow will own and complete a distinct piece of work that will be defined in collaboration taking into account the Fellow's interests and abilities and the CIF's priorities. Further, the Fellow will be integrated into and will assist with CIF's strategic initiatives at the intersection of climate, community, and equity; including efforts to "green" community development finance, normalize investments in broad community resilience, and encourage an equity-centered, collaborative approach to greenhouse gas reduction for low-income and disadvantaged communities. The Fellow will be involved in applied research on best practices through interviews and convenings, data collection and data entry, and literature reviews. It is likely that the Fellow will support the development of an impact measurment and data management system framework for measuring resilience investments, benefits, and outcomes, including but not limited to investments in climate resilience and energy. In addition, the Fellow may contribute to the development of training curriculum, underwriting and other tools and resources to facilitate and incentivize greenhouse gas reduction and resilience building for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Because CIF's work is conducted through intensive stakeholder engagement and collaborative design processes, the Fellow will have the opportunity to build significant relationships with practitioners from CDFI's, green banks, and other key players across the community development and environmental justice ecosystems. 

Desired Skillsets: Ability to work independently on multiple time-sensitive projects and demonstrated interest in community development finance, climate adaption and mitigation, and equity. Interest in/ability to draft or contribute to written materials including memos, whitepapers, and PowerPoint decks and virtual or in-person presentations to stakeholders including CDFI practitioners, public agency staff, and funders. Interest in, knowledge of, and/or commitment to community development finance, climate solutions, and/or equity would be a plus.

Location: UNH-Durham, New England Center, Carsey School of Public Policy [significant portion of the work can and will be conducted remotely].

Fellowship Terms: Fall 2023, Spring 2024

Working with UNH Cooperative Extension's Community and Economic Development team, the Fellow will assist in coordination, development and delivery of Housing Academy educational content; help develop written resources for program participants; provide engagement support to communities and assist in developing and implementing program evaluation. UNH Cooperative Extension is developing Housing Academy to provide housing education and community engagement training for municipal grantees, housing navigators and local volunteerism for this program. Housing Academy will help participants learn how to engage with their community, set priorities and plan for an increase in supply at the community level.

Desired Skillsets: An interest in community change; community engagement; community decision-making; democratic process; economic development; housing, planning, land use and real estate topics. Ability to work independently and with a team; basic research methods; good writing skills, organizational skills, and good communication skills.

Location: Hours are flexible and can be done remotely. Occasional in-person meetings on the UNH Durham campus or at site locations across NH (TBD) are required.

Fellowship Terms: This position can start as soon as Spring of 2023 and continue through Summer, OR start in Summer 2023 and continue through the Fall 2023.

A leadership group has formed to identify and maximize opportunities for sustainable and equitable growth in New Hampshire's outdoor recreation sector, which has been designated as a state economic development priority. Partners include NEMO Equipment, the NH Outdoor Recreation Industry Development Office, Granite Outdoor Alliance, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the UNH Department of Recreation Management and Policy. The Fellow will undertake projects for partners including helping with economic impact analyses across NH communities, identifying ways private-sector partners can support outdoor recreation policy development following best practices from other states, reviewing/cataloging current and emerging federal funding programs, helping connect NH organizations to national-level initiatives, preparing communications, and coordinating convening leadership group meetings and events. 

Desired Skillsets: Interest in community and economic development; federal/state policy alignment; communication and public relations; public/private partnerships. Ability to work independently and with a team; familiarity with basic research methods; comfort presenting to diverse audiences; good writing skills, organizational skills, and communication skills. UNH coursework and training opportunities are available to support the Fellow's professional development in-line with project goals. 

Location: Hours are flexible and can be done remotely. Occasional in-person meetings at partner offices or at site locations across NH (TBD) are expected.

Fellowship Terms: This position will run through the Fall 2023 through Spring 2024 academic year with the possibility for continuation over the summer and renewal for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

The Public Health Policy Fellow will work with the New Hampshire Disability and Health Program on improving the health and quality of life of adults with disabilities in NH by implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce unmet health needs, increase access to preventative health care, and facilitate the adoption of healthy behaviors. Our team would value the participation of an intern who has interest or experience in public health and would like to develop experience in any of the following areas:

• identifying and speaking with statewide potential partners (in collaboration with DHP staff) who would be open to making a policy, system, or environmental change that improves access to health and wellness resources for adults with disabilities
• assisting with Excel database management and organization; support managing marketing, paperwork, and scheduling of workshops
• help with marketing of our online healthcare provider trainings, including attending state-wide meetings of healthcare professionals
• assess accessibility at various public locations around the state

Desired Skillsets: Someone who has the ability to work independently, seek out input from supervisors when needed, and has a creative mind. Comfortable talking to partners on behalf of our program (or someone who wants to learn to be more comfortable) is desirable. A background in/interest in health or public health. Intern should also want to work with people with disabilities (not merely support/aid them).

Location: UNH Institute on Disability, 10 West Edge Drive (remote work is fine)

Fellowship Terms: Fall 2023, Spring 2024

The Fellow will work with Dr. Debra Brucker and her team at the Institute on Disability as they study the economic well-being of persons with disabilities and the public programs that support persons with disabilities in the U.S. (e.g., Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, vocational rehabilitation, etc.). The fellow will assist with descriptive data analysis, literature reviews, and other assigned tasks to support federally-funded work in this area.

Desired Skillsets: Ability to work independently; excellent writing skills; basic familiarity with Stata or SPSS; knowledge of or interest in learning about disability policy in the U.S.; knowledge of or interest in learning about nationally representative survey data (e.g. American Community Survey, Current Population Survey, etc.).

Location: New Hampshire Disability and Health Program office located at 10 West Edge Drive in Durham, but can be conducted remotely.

Fellowship Terms: Fall 2023, Spring 2024

This Fellowship position involves research assistance for a project on US foreign policy, specifically stabilization assistance from the US Agency for International Development and US foreign relations with a non-state armed group and governing entity. This research focuses on US policy in Syria and its relationship with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The project is in its early stages and the Fellow will assist with data collection, data entry and analysis of AANES and SDF digital diplomacy and bilateral diplomacy efforts with US officials; literature review; and other assigned tasks. 

Desired Skillsets: Ability to work independently; familiarity with Excel; attention to detail; knowledge of or interest in diplomacy and it effects on policy; knowledge of or interest in learning about US international development policy.

Location: UNH-Durham, New England Center, Carsey School of Public Policy; and remote.

Fellowship Terms: Fall 2023, Spring 2024