UNH Today

DURHAM, N.H.— Is the Earth flat? Did NASA fake the moon landings? Do COVID-19 vaccinations implant microchips in people? A recent survey by the University of New Hampshire looked at the public acceptance of these types of conspiracy claims compared to statements based on scientific facts. They found only around 10% agreed with conspiracy claims and while that was low overall, it was significantly higher among certain subgroups including millennials and supporters of former President Donald Trump.

DURHAM, N.H.—In recognition of their achievements, the University of New Hampshire will award honorary degrees to its three commencement speakers as well as to an environmental pioneer and a federal judge at commencement ceremonies across its three campuses this May. Granite State Awards for outstanding contributions to the state will also be presented to JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire; the Huntington Family, owners of Pleasant View Gardens; and Laura Landerman-Garber, president of Holiday Cards 4 Our Military-NH Challenge.

DURHAM, N.H.—Many human experiences were uniquely altered during the COVID-19 pandemic including a significant rise in the number of people seeking outdoor recreation options during quarantine. In a series of studies looking at this trend, researchers at the University of New Hampshire found a dramatic increase during the pandemic of visitors to the parks and protected areas of New England that resulted in significant social, situational and ecological impacts on people’s behavior, decision making and experience quality.

DURHAM, N.H.—Kenya’s representative to the United Nations, president of a nonprofit serving people with intellectual, developmental and personal challenges, and partner-in-charge of the seventh largest law firm in the U.S. will address University of New Hampshire graduates at commencement ceremonies across its three campuses this May. All speakers are awarded honorary degrees.

UNH-Martin Kimani ’96
Multiple ceremonies Friday, May 20-Sunday, May 22, Memorial Field, Durham

DURHAM, N.H.—The dramatic toll that COVID-19 has taken on the U.S. is apparent, but as caseloads come down and mandates are loosened it has become increasingly obvious how much of an impact the pandemic had on food service workers in industries like the fisheries. A study from the University of New Hampshire looked at the direct and indirect effects of the global pandemic on U.S. seafood workers by tracking cases and outbreaks and found seafood workers were twice as likely to contract COVID-19 as workers in other food industries.

DURHAM, N.H.—Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard historian and law professor, will speak as part of the Rutman Distinguished Lecture Series on the American Presidency at the University of New Hampshire Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building’s Granite State Room. Her talk is titled “Thomas Jefferson: Revolutionary, President and Visionary.” The event is free and open to the public but registration is required.

DURHAM, N.H.—Men in executive leadership positions receive over $500,000 more in severance compensation than women, according to researchers from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Researchers say a gender pay gap exists in average severance compensation packages between male and female executives in large, publicly traded American companies.

DURHAM, N.H.—In a new study of the ecological impacts of tropical cyclones, an international research team including researchers from the University of New Hampshire addresses a question that people have asked for centuries: when confronted by a storm, is it better to be resistant like an oak or resilient like a willow? The findings could help guide coastal managers in decision making as they plan for climate change and a growing seacoast population threatened by more intense tropical storms.

DURHAM, N.H.— Researchers in the University New Hampshire’s Surface Enhanced Electrochemical Diagnostic Sensors (SEEDS) Lab have received an EPSCoR grant from the National Science Foundation for close to $6 million to lead a team in developing sensors to promote quality control in biomanufacturing—the production of important biomaterials used in medicine, food and even engineered human organs—a field that is becoming an important sector of the economy.

DURHAM, N.H.— In response to the state’s changing demographics, the NH Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) has created a comprehensive plan to reach more people of color interested in starting a business or solidifying one they already own.

According to 2020 U.S. Census data, people of color who previously made up 10% of the state now represent 14% of the Granite State’s population.