DataNB
The latest from the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training

Population New Brunswick (PopNB) is a student research stream in the Pathways to Professions experiential learning program at NB-IRDT. Launched in 2020, PopNB describes various population demographics and identifies crucial trends that impact the economy and well-being of New Brunswickers.

This summer, PopNB was comprised of four undergraduate students investigating the recent economic implications of aging in New Brunswick, under the leadership of NB-IRDT Director Dr. Ted McDonald.

As this year’s team discovered, aging is a central piece of New Brunswick’s narrative. An aging population will face certain economic consequences, as it increases healthcare expenditures and affects job vacancies and unemployment, post-secondary enrolments, economic mobility, and housing tenure and affordability. For 13 weeks this summer, the PopNB team researched these outcomes, identifying interprovincial and international migration as part of the solution to the program of New Brunswick’s aging population.

Read the 2021 issue of PopNB’s findings and their infographic to learn more about their research and their results.

The PopNB Student Team

Kelsi Evans – PopNB Communications Coordinator

Kelsi is a student at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, going into her fourth year of a bachelor of arts with a major in Psychology specializing in Neuroscience and minoring in Biology. She is expected to graduate in 2022.

Griffin Higgins – PopNB Data Analyst

Griffin is a student at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, pursuing a concurrent Bachelor of Computer Science (class of 2020) and bachelor of arts in Sociology (class of 2021). Griffin is entering his Master of Applied Cybersecurity at UNB Fredericton and is expected to graduate in 2022.

Samuel McNally – PopNB Data Analyst

Samuel is a student at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, going into his second year of a bachelor of science in Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering. He is expected to graduate in 2024.

Lee Whelan – PopNB Data Analyst

Lee is a student at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, going into their fourth year of a bachelor of arts, with an Honours in Political Science. They are expected to graduate in 2022.

What is Pathways to Professions (P2P)?

Each summer, NB-IRDT hosts student research teams as part of its Pathways to Professions (P2P) experiential learning program. For 13 weeks, these students work on projects relevant to New Brunswick while attending a full curriculum of professional skills workshops.