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Nh Ece Research Consortium Member Information, Evan England, Jess Carson

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

NH ECE Research Consortium membership is open to individuals and organizations with relevant expertise that aligns with the purpose of the Consortium, including the advancement of knowledge to support early care and education in NH. This document describes the benefits of membership, what it means to be a member, and the role of the Carsey School.

Public School-Affiliated Preschool Programs In New Hampshire, 2024–2025 School Year, Tyrus Parker, Kamala Nasirova, Jess Carson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, Tyrus Parker, Kamala Nasirova, and Jess Carson report on the results from the second annual New Hampshire preschool in public schools survey. The authors find that, in the 2024–2025 school year, there were 147 public school-affiliated preschool programs in the state. In total, public school-affiliated preschool programs reported serving 5,471 children statewide, an increase of 7.9 percent compared to reported enrollment in the prior school year. The authors note that these programs can be a valuable option for New Hampshire families in the state's early learning ecosystem.

February 2026 Nh Ece Research Consortium Newsletter, Evan England, Jess Carson, Harshita Sarup

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The February 2026 NH ECE Research Consortium Newsletter features a spotlight on the NH Child Care Scholarship Program. Also find the latest data, research publications, Consortium resources, upcoming events, opportunities, and more.

All Six New England States Gain Population, But Demographic Basis Of Gain Varies, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that New England’s population grew by 310,000 between the 2020 Census in April 2020 and July 2025 and now stands at 15,432,000, according to new Census Bureau estimates. International immigration accounted for the entire population gain, offsetting an excess of deaths over births and an outflow of domestic migrants to other U.S. destinations from New England.

All six New England states have gained population since 2020, but the source of growth varied. Maine and New Hampshire had the largest population gains in the region. Most of their gains were due to an influx …

Operating On Thin Margins: The Cost Of Providing New Hampshire Child Care, Tyrus Parker, Jess Carson

Carsey Publications

In this primer, authors Tyrus Parker and Jess Carson summarize available data on the cost of operating a child care program in New Hampshire. Using data from a 50-state cost calculator as well as three local child care programs, the authors find that despite high child care costs for families, tuition alone is largely insufficient revenue for program operation. As a result, child care program operators must make difficult tradeoffs around program offerings, program quality, and compensation for educators. The authors call for rigorous data collection and modeling to support planning a sustainable financial model for the Granite State’s early …

New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program Reaches Young Children Statewide, Harshita Sarup, Jess Carson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, authors Harshita Sarup and Jess Carson offer an update on enrollment in the New Hampshire Care Scholarship Program and describe the age and geographic distribution of enrolled children. Using data from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the authors confirm that enrollment more than doubled between December 2023—just before program eligibility was expanded in January 2024—and December 2025. More than 5,800 children, two-thirds of whom are under age five, are now served through the program, reaching each county of the state. The authors underscore the importance of continuously tracking program implementation and leveraging local …

The New Hampshire Voluntary Paid Family And Medical Leave Program: Did The Program Increase Coverage?, Kristin Smith

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Kristin Smith evaluates whether the New Hampshire Voluntary Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program increased paid family and medical leave coverage. The NH Voluntary Paid Leave program launched at the start of 2023. Granite State Poll data show no change in the share of workers with medical, parental, or fam­ily medical leave benefits between December 2022 (pre-program) and December 2024. Specifically, about 3 percent of New Hampshire workers were enrolled in the NH PFML program by June 2025. In the first two- and one-half years of the program, it did little at the state level …

Nh Ece 2026 Policy Data Infographic, Harshita Sarup, Jess Carson, Tyrus Parker

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The NH ECE 2026 Policy Data infographic provides easy access to data describing and explaining the early care and education landscape in New Hampshire. Learn about Granite Staters' need for child care, the high prices that families face, the low wages earned by child care workers and high operating costs of care, and the economic toll of an uneven supply for the state. The infographic also offers suggestions for building a better system.

Brief #1: Collaborative Aggregation & Marketing Of Local Farm Food: A Qualitative Analysis Of Farmers' Collaboration Strategies, Evan England, Rachel Filippone, Hannah Stokes-Ramos, Cindy (Luyue) Zheng, Olivia Burton, Analena Bruce

Food Practice Research

This report presents research findings from a comparative case study of four Collaborative Aggregation and Marketing Models: Local Harvest, a cooperative non-profit, farmer-owned, and certified organic CSA, Three River Farmers Alliance, an online food hub and regional distributor, Vernon Family Farm Store, an on-farm, year-round store that aggregates from local farms, and Fresh Start Farms, a food hub, farmers’ market, and CSA operated by the nonprofit Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success.

Exploring Biopsychosocial Influences On Hookup Culture And Disrupting Compulsory Behaviors In Emerging Adults: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Of A Contemporary Public Health Concern, Catherine Benjamin

Honors Theses and Capstones

Multidisciplinary analysis, including biology, psychology, and sociology, to better understand the compulsory Hookup Culture that exists as a contemporary public health concern among the age group defined as emerging adults. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses are steadily rising in the United States and disproportionately affecting college students. Early socialization and current educational resources that contribute to shame and stigma are discussed to explain how lifestyle and social conditions can act as risk factors for individual health outcomes.

Below The Rows, Beyond The Roots: An Art Exhibition Depicting Agriculture Across The Globe, Maggie Enoch

Honors Theses and Capstones

In Below the Rows, Beyond the Roots, artist Maggie Enoch creates multimedia works inspired by her exposure to diverse agricultural systems and perspectives while studying geography and sustainable agriculture/food systems around the world. By integrating complex histories with the contemporary realities of farming, Maggie paints vivid pictures of the power of food in this five-piece exhibition.

Brief #2: Collaborative Aggregation & Marketing Of Local Farm Food: A Qualitative Analysis Of Customer Relations Strategies, Evan England, Rachel Filippone, Hannah Stokes-Ramos, Cindy (Luyue) Zheng, Olivia Burton, Analena B. Bruce

Food Practice Research

No abstract provided.

When Does Sexual Image Exposure Constitute Child Sexual Abuse?: Definitional Inconsistencies, Paige B. Kenny

Honors Theses and Capstones

The following review examines how youth exposure to sexual images online is conceptualized and measured as abusive within epidemiological research on online child sexual abuse (OCSA). As digital environments reshape sexual socialization, scholars debate whether and when exposure to sexual content constitutes abuse. To address this issue, this study conducts a qualitative content analysis of 27 survey items drawn from 20 empirical studies of youth online experiences. Survey questions about sexual image exposure were coded across four dimensions: volition, personalization, image or text, and explicitness. Findings reveal significant definitional inconsistency. Many studies rely on ambiguous terms such as “sexual” or …

Embracing Anomalous Perceptions: Sensory Anomalies, Social Stigma, And Self-Acceptance, Ty R. Hetrick

Honors Theses and Capstones

Anomalous Perceptual Experiences (APEs), which include auditory and visual hallucinations, occur in the general population to varying degrees, but are often stigmatized in media and healthcare settings. However, there is an increasing focus on those who report APEs to be positive and meaningful. This study explored the lived experiences of individuals who report APEs that are interpreted meaningfully. Using a concurrent mixed methods approach, interviews and questionnaires were conducted with 3 adults who identify their APEs as meaningful. Participants described their experiences as sources of guidance, connection, and personal transformation that positively influenced their relationships, spirituality, and daily occupations. They …

Nh Ece Research Consortium Spring 2025 Convening Summary & Action Steps, Evan England, Jess Carson

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The inaugural NH ECE Research Consortium convening in May 2025 welcomed nearly 50 attendees from 29 organizations for a half-day session connecting over research and data. Attendees participated in three activities using the Ecocycle Planning framework. The group sorted NH ECE activities and approaches into three main areas: (1) things we value in which we already invest (or plan to), (2) things we value in which we do not invest, and (3) things that need to change or are already changing. Reflections in each area are summarized here in hopes that the synthesis supports our shared and ongoing efforts to …

Factors Contributing To The Demographic Cliff: More U.S. Women Of Childbearing Age, But Fewer Have Given Birth, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

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, up from 2.1 million in 2016 and 4.7 million in 2022. There are 4 million more women aged 20–39 than in 2006, but 7 million fewer have given birth. The shift in fertility patterns has resulted in 11.8 million fewer babies in the past 17 years.

Fertility rate declines were greatest among women under 30, where childless rates increased the most. Childless rates increased modestly among …

Can The Government Control Hurricanes? New Survey Results On Conspiracies And Science, Lawrence C. Hamilton

Carsey Publications

In this 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. Mixed in with the conspiracy questions were others asking about agreement with basic scientific facts such as Earth orbiting the Sun. Nine to 38 percent agreed with the conspiracies whereas 40 to 75 percent agreed with the science; many others were unsure.

Generation and political identity both correlate with conspiracism. Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z respondents more often agreed with conspiratorial statements; …

Nh Ece 2025 Data Snapshot Infographic, Harshita Sarup, Jess Carson, Tyrus Parker

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The NH ECE 2025 Data Snapshot infographic provides easy access to data describing and explaining the early care and education landscape in New Hampshire. Learn about Granite Staters' need for child care, the high prices that families face, the low wages earned by child care workers, and the high operating costs of care. The infographic also offers a policy snapshot featuring the reach of the NH Child Care Scholarship Program.

U.S. Births Up Slightly But Remain Near 40-Year Lows, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

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. Even with the uptick, both the number of births and the birth rate were near 40-year lows, and there is no evidence of a significant increase in fertility rates in the new data.

The long-term impact of the fertility decline has been substantial. There would have been 11.8 million more births in the last 17 years had 2007 fertility patterns been sustained through 2024. The expense and limited availability of …

Modest Population Gains Widespread In New Hampshire Counties, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

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. The state’s population gain was larger than the prior year’s, but smaller than in the two preceding years. Between 2023 and 2024, New Hampshire's entire population gain was due to migration. The state had a net gain of 9,200 people from migration, which offset a loss of 2,400 more deaths than births. Nine of the state’s ten counties gained population, only Coös County experienced a minimal population loss.

These new …

Covid Mortality Diminished But Low Fertility Means Deaths Still Exceeded Births In More Than Two-Thirds Of U.S. Counties, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

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. Births are diminishing because fertil­ity rates are at record lows. In contrast, deaths and mortality rates dimin­ished modestly last year, though deaths remain nearly 10 percent above pre-pandemic levels. As a result, the balance between births and deaths remains in flux.

These national trends are important, but one stark statistic illustrates the impact of …

Reach And Utility Of The New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program, Harshita Sarup, Jess Carson

Carsey Publications

In this primer, authors Harshita Sarup and Jess Carson describe the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program after recent policy changes. The authors find that while an estimated 55,000 children are eligible, only 7 to 8 percent are enrolled. Scholarships can represent significant savings for families, particularly with multiple children, although reimbursement rates can leave gaps for providers. The authors conclude by discussing some potential strategies for increasing the reach and efficacy of the program.

Domestic Migrants And Dollars Flowed To New Hampshire During The Pandemic, Kenneth M. Johnson, Tyrus Parker

Carsey Publications

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. The state's net migration gain of 26,000 was a significant increase from the net migration gain of 17,000 in the three years prior to the pandemic. Net migration gains to New Hampshire increased because fewer people left the state, and in-migration from other states grew modestly.

People were not the only thing the state gained from migration. Net income gains from migration increased substantially during the pandemic because more …

Production & Perception Of /S/ And Pitch Of Transgender Speakers, Connor J. Ryan

Honors Theses and Capstones

Linguistic research on how transgender speakers use speech traits commonly associated with gender, such as f0 and /s/, is still limited in scope. Past research has focused primarily on singular gender groups within the transgender community, particularly transmasculine speakers, leaving gaps in how speech differs among transgender speakers. Additionally, there has been little research on how transgender identity influences perception of gender in speech. Here, I use data from reading passages by fifteen university-age transgender speakers in New England to analyze variation in /s/ and f0 among transmasculine, transfeminine, nonbinary, and multigender speakers. I then performed a perception study using …

Nh Ece Research Consortium 2024 Activity Timeline, Jess Carson, Evan England

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

The New Hampshire Early Care and Education (NH ECE) Research Consortium is a network of researchers and research users committed to strengthening the state's ECE landscape through the use of data. Discover what the Consortium accomplished during its first full year in this 2024 Activity Timeline.

New England Is Gaining Population Due To Immigration, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

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. International immigration accounted for the entire population gain, offsetting an excess of deaths over births and an outflow of domestic migrants to other U.S. destinations. Immigration was also an important source of population gain nationwide accounting for 84 percent of the U.S. population gain of 3.4 million. This produced the largest population gain in the United States in more than 20 years.

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New …

How Should Scientists Act? Assessing Public Perceptions Of Scientists And Scientific Practices And Their Implications For Science Communication, Thomas G. Safford, Emily H. Whitmore

Faculty Publications

Is how science is conducted legitimate? Are scientists trustworthy? Whether the public answers “yes” to these questions is critical for science communicators. We explore how social factors affect public perceptions of the practice of science, and then test how those beliefs relate to views about how scientists engage with the public and policy making. Our results show that political ideology and religiosity affect these views. However, more importantly, respondents’ concerns about the integrity of the scientific process are the strongest predictor of views about scientists’ behavior, providing a focus area for future communication efforts in support of science-based decision making.

High Child Care Costs Strain Nh Family Budgets, Tyrus Parker, Jess Carson

Carsey Publications

In the fourth primer of the Granite Guide to Early Childhood series, authors Tyrus Parker and Jess Carson report that, in 2023, the average price of full-time, center-based care for an infant and a four-year-old in New Hampshire was nearly $32,000 a year. Equivalent to 28 percent of median family income for New Hampshire households with children under 5, this is four times the 7 percent threshold that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has deemed affordable.

High costs can push care out of reach for the lowest-income families, perpetuating inequity. Perhaps the most important relief from high …

Migration Continues To Sustain Population Gains In Rural America, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Kenneth Johnson reports that rural America is now gaining population again after a decade of loss. The recent rural population gain of 197,000 is striking given that pandemic-era deaths exceeded births in nonmetropolitan areas by a staggering 454,000 between April of 2020 and July of 2023, compared to a net natural loss (more deaths than births) of just 19,000 in the three years before the pandemic.

Even though rural America had an overall population gain between 2020 and 2023, just 45 percent of all rural counties gained population. Most of the recent nonmetropolitan population increase accrued …

Book Review Of Motorsport And Fascism. Living Dangerously. By Paul Baxa. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022. 313 Pages., Alessio Giovene

Journal of Motorsport Culture & History

No abstract provided.