Professor Peter Wells BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation
Summary
Peter Wells is Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation. He has led over 50 research and evaluation projects and is author to over 100 research reports and other publications. He is a non-executive director of Sonnet Impact and Advisory CIC, an associate company of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. He is co-director of the ESRC Centre for Collaboration in Community Connectedness and is based in both the Institute for Social Sciences and the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
About
He directed the evaluation and learning contract of Talent Match for the Big Lottery Fund from 2014-2020 and is currently leading a study () for Local Trust into its flagship Big Local programme. He is a co-investigator on innovative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ England funded project, the . He was a member of the evaluation team of New Deal for Communities coordinating research on neighbourhood partnerships. Peter has held advisory roles for government departments (DCMS, Cabinet Office and DLUHC), the European Commission and local authorities. He is currently a member of the Youth Futures Foundation grants committee and has served on other grant committees including for the Portuguese and Norwegian governments.
From 2014-2020 Peter was an Associate Dean for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Innovation at SHU, overseeing a portfolio of social science and arts research and developing the university’s approach to research assessment and research infrastructure.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ interests
Peter has wide ranging research interests including
- evaluation and evidence based policy making
- social investment and the voluntary and community sector
- regional and urban policy
- youth unemployment
- community and locally based climate action
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Please contact me for further details about these research projects and for summaries of the findings.
2022-2025 Yorkshire Policy and Engagement Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Network, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ England. Role: Project Manager.
2019-22 Evaluation and Learning Contact for Power to Change’s Market Development Programme. Role: Joint Project Director with Dr Rob Macmillan.
Publications
Key Publications
Johnston, A., Woodhouse, D., & Wells, P. (2024). . The Journal of Technology Transfer.
Gore, T., & Wells, P. (2022). . People, Place and Policy, 16 (2), 146-156.
Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Journal articles
Adeyemo, O., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2024). . People, Place and Policy Online, 18 (2), 115-128.
Johnston, A., Wells, P., & Woodhouse, D. (2021). Regional Studies.
Johnston, A., & Wells, P. (2020). . Local Economy.
Fothergill, S., Gore, T., & Wells, P. (2019). . Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 12 (3), 445-466.
Wells, P. (2018). . People, place and policy online, 11 (3), 175-183.
Wells, P. (2013). . Voluntary Sector Review, 4 (1), 77-94.
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Wells, P. (2013). . People, place and policy online, 7 (3), 139-152.
Wells, P., & Dayson, C. (2013). . People, place and policy online, 7 (2), 91-99.
Wells, P. (2012). . Voluntary Sector Review, 3 (2), 157-177.
Wells, P. (2012). . Public Administration, 90 (1), 211-229.
Crowe, M., Dayson, C., & Wells, P. (2010). . People, place and policy online, 4 (1), 29-32.
Gore, T., & Wells, P. (2009). . Evaluation and Program Planning, 32 (2), 158-167.
Darlow, A., Percy-Smith, J., & Wells, P. (2007). Community strategies: Are they delivering joined up governance? Local Government Studies, 33 (1), 117-129.
Gore, T., Powell, R., & Wells, P. (2006). . Cahiers d'economie et sociologie rurales, 80 (3), 29-52.
Armstrong, H.W., & Wells, P. (2006). . European planning studies, 14 (6), 855-876.
Armstrong, H.W., & Wells, P. (2006). . Regional studies, 40 (2), 259-272.
Armstrong, H.W., Kehrer, B., Wells, P., & Wood, A.M. (2002). . Urban studies, 39 (3), 457-481.
Armstrong, H.W., Kehrer, B., & Wells, P. (2001). . Regional studies, 35 (8), 673-688.
Robinson, D., & Wells, P. (n.d.). Editorial: PPP at Ten. People, Place and Policy Online, 11 (3), 134-135.
Conference papers
Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2015). In Challenges for the New Cohesion Policy in 2014-2020 : An Academic and Policy Debate, Riga, 4 February 2015 - 6 February 2015.
Book chapters
Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2016). . In Bachtler, J., Berkowitz, P., Hardy, S., & Muravska, T. (Eds.) EU cohesion policy: reassessing performance and direction. (pp. 127-139). Abingdon: Routledge:
Wells, P. (2008). The third sector and community cohesion in deprived neighbourhoods. In Community Cohesion in Crisis?: New Dimensions of Diversity and Difference. (pp. 139-157).
PERRATON, J., & WELLS, P. (2004). Multi-level Governance and Economic Policy. In Multi-level Governance. (pp. 179-194). Oxford University Press:
Reports
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sector-summary-nuclear
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sector-summary-insulation
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sector-summary-hydrogen
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sector-summary-heat-pumps
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sector-summary-heat-networks
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sector-summary-carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage-ccus
Eadson, W., Northall, P., Johnston, A., Parkes, S., Wells, P., & While, A. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/low-carbon-energy-supply-chains-employment-and-skills-in-south-yorkshire-headline-findings
Damm, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Damm, C., Green, A., & Wells, P. (2020). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Damm, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Wells, P., Macmillan, R., & Dobson, J. (2020). . Community Fund. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/food-for-thought-understanding-market-development-in-the-community-business-sector
Crisp, R., Ferrari, E., Fothergill, S., Gore, T., & Wells, P. (2019). . London: Labour. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/strong-economies-better-places
Crisp, R., Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Bashir, N., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/involving-young-people-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/youth-employment-partnerships-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/progression-to-employment-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Fothergill, S., Gore, T., & Wells, P. (2017). Industrial Strategy and the Regions : the shortcomings of a narrow sectoral focus. Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). . Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-and-evaluation---year-one-programme-report
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). . Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/eanf-learning-report-2-building-alliances
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/eanf-learning-report-1-evidence-and-data
Pattison, B., Tyler, P., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2016). . Sheffield: Chartered Institute of Housing. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/regeneration-revival-making-housing-led-regeneration-work-across-england
Taylor, P., Davies, L., Wells, P., Gilbertson, J., & Tayleur, W. (2015). . Department for Culture, Media and Sport. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/a-review-of-the-social-impacts-of-culture-and-sport
Powell, R., & Wells, P. (2015). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/talent-match-evaluation-and-learning-contract-briefing-report-2015
Macmillan, R., Ellis-Paine, A., Kara, H., Dayson, C., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2014). . Third Sector Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/building-capabilities-in-the-voluntary-sector-what-the-evidence-tells-us
Crisp, R., Green, A., & Wells, P. (2014). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/talent-match-evaluation-and-learning-contract-2013-19---partnerships-and-service-delivery-an
Bashir, N., Atfield, G., & Wells, P. (2014). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/talent-match-evaluation-and-learning-contract-2013-19---involvement-of-young-people-an-evidence
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Wells, P. (2013). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/local-business-giving-between-the-raffle-prize-and-a-new-source-of-funding
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., & Wells, P. (2013). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/local-giving-possibilities-for-support-and-development-organisations
Wells, P., Dayson, C., Gilbertson, J., Pearson, S., Gore, T., Batty, E., ... Ward, T. (2012). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/research-study-into-outsourcing-grantmaking-final-report
Wells, P., Hickman, P., Dayson, C., Walshaw, A., Batty, E., Gore, T., ... O'Toole, C. (2012). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/village-sos-project-evaluation
Pearson, S., Wells, P., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Walshaw, A. (2011). Sustaining the benefits of capital funding. Big Lottery Fund.
Wells, P., Dayson, C., Batty, E., Crisp, R., & Parr, S. (2011). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/social-investment-and-its-impact-the-evaluation-of-charity-bank-in-the-north
Wells, P., Dayson, C., Batty, E., Crisp, R., & Parr, S. (2011). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/social-investment-and-its-impact-the-evaluation-of-charity-bank-in-the-north-exec-summary
Dayson, C., Wells, P., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., Pearson, S., Walshaw, A., ... Trinnaman, J. (2011). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sustaining-the-benefits-of-capital-funding-final-report
Gilbertson, J., Wells, P., Gore, T., & Crowe, M. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/measuring-the-big-society-approaches-problems-and-suggested-improvements
Wells, P., Gilbertson, J., Gore, T., & Crowe, M. (2010). Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/a-big-society-in-yorkshire-and-humber
Tyler, P., Warnock, C., Provins, A., Wells, P., Brennan, A., Cole, I., ... Phang, Z. (2010). . Department for Communities and Local Government. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-benefits-of-regeneration-economics-paper-7---summary
Tyler, P., Warnock, C., Povins, A., Wells, P., Brennan, A., Cole, I., ... Phang, Z. (2010). . Department for Communities and Local Government. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-benefits-of-regeneration-economics-paper-7---volume-i---final-report
Tyler, P., Warnock, C., Provins, A., Wells, P., Brennan, A., Cole, I., ... Phang, Z. (2010). . Department for Communities and Local Government. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/valuing-the-benefits-of-regeneration-economics-paper-7---volume-ii
Wells, P., Batty, E., Pearson, S., Dayson, C., Platts-Fowler, D., Trinnaman, J., ... Macmillan, R. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-a-summary-report
Wells, P., Dayson, C., & Macmillan, R. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-b
Wells, P., & Dayson, C. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-c
Wells, P. (2010). . Yorkshire Futures. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/high-level-skills-in-yorkshire-and-humber-understanding-the-drivers-of-change
Wells, P. (2010). . Yorkshire Futures. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/using-realist-synthesis-to-understand-what-works-in-high-level-skills-interventions
Wells, P., & Dayson, C. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/measuring-the-impact-of-third-sector-infrastructure-organisations
Roberts, D., McNeill, T., Wells, P., Crisp, R., & Gore, T. (2010). . Ekogen. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/high-level-skills-in-yorkshire-and-humber---understanding-the-drivers-of-change-summary
Roberts, D., McNeill, T., Wells, P., Crisp, R., & Gore, T. (2010). . Ekogen. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/high-level-skills-in-yorkshire-and-the-humber-understanding-the-drivers-of-change---phase-2
Roberts, D., McNeill, T., Wells, P., Crisp, R., & Gore, T. (2010). . Ekogen. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/high-level-skills-in-yorkshire-and-humber-understanding-the-drivers-of-change---phase-1
Wells, P., Coule, T., Dayson, C., Morgan, G., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., ... Patmore, B. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/futurebuilders-evaluation-final-report
Wells, P., Coule, T., Dayson, C., Morgan, G., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., ... Patmore, B. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/futurebuilders-evaluation-final-report-executive-summary
Batty, E., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2009). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-f
Wells, P., Dayson, C., & Macmillan, R. (2009). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-j-evaluation-framework
Wells, P., Batty, E., & Dayson, C. (2009). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-d
Wells, P., Ardron, R., & Wilson, M. (2009). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-i
Wells, P., Batty, E., & Dayson, C. (2009). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-south-yorkshire-social-infrastructure-programme---report-h
Crisp, R., Gore, T., & Wells, P. (2009). . Third Sector European Network. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evidence-review-of-the-impact-of-the-esf-on-those-furthest-from-the-labour-market-2007---2013
Wells, P., Dayson, C., Wilson, I., & Hems, L. (2009). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/third-sector-and-recession-an-initial-quantitative-assessment
Wells, P., Duffy, D., & Platts-Fowler, D. (2008). Neighbourhood governance: making NDC elections a significant event for partnerships and communities? Some lessons from the New Deal for Communities Programme. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/neighbourhood-governance-making-ndc-elections-a-significant-event-for-partnerships-and-communities
Wells, P. (2008). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-futurebuilders-interim-report---summary-briefing
Lawless, P., Dickinson, S., Fordham, G., Fuller, C., Meegan, R., & Wells, P. (2008). . Communities and Local Government. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/challenges-interventions-and-change
Pearson, S., Ardron, R., Lawless, P., Wells, P., Dickinson, S., Fordham, G., ... Meegan, R. (2008). . Communities and Local Government Publications.
Wells, P. (2006). . Leeds Metropolitan University. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/formative-evaluation-of-community-strategies
Wells, P., & Goudie, R. (2005). . ODPM Publications. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/process-evaluation-of-plan-rationalisation-formative-evaluation-of-community-strategies
Wells, P., Dowson, L., & Percy-Smith, J. (2005). . Leeds Metropolitan University. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/process-evaluation-of-plan-rationalisation
Wells, P., Hanson, S., Darlow, A., Hill, C., Johnson, S., Walton, F., ... Escott, K. (2004). . Policy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute, Leeds Metropolitan University. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/south-yorkshire-objective-1-programme-mid-term-evaluation
Gore, T., Powell, R., & Wells, P. (2003). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-contribution-of-community-businesses-to-the-rural-economy-of-yorkshire-and-the-humber
Damm, C., Green, A., & Wells, P. (n.d.). Talent Match Evaluation: Comparative Report. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Theses / Dissertations
Soutar, J. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Dayson, C., Bennett, E., & Wells, P.
Woodward, A. (2020). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by White, R., & Wells, P.
Langmead, K. (2018). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by White, R., Wells, P., & Dayson, C.
Dobson, J. (2017). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Eadson, W.
Prinos, I. (2016). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., Powell, R., & Dayson, C.
Baxendale, J.K. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Wilson, I.
Bennett, E.K. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Coule, T.
Ruggiero, A. (2013). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., Gore, T., & Escott, K.
Pearce, S. (2012). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., Gore, T., & Casey, R.
Eadson, W.T.M. (2011). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Gore, T.
Elton, C.J. (2011). (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wells, P., & Gore, T.
Moore, T.E. (2011). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Flint, J.F., & Wells, P.
Postgraduate supervision
Peter is currently supervising three PhD students. The topics are youth unemployment, charity investment and the civic role of universities.
He would welcome discussion in supervising students in these fields and around the following areas:
- evidence based policy making
- youth unemployment and the role of the voluntary sector
- community and locally based climate action
- social investment.
Media
Peter Wells is Professor of Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation, and Associate Dean for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Innovation, College of Social Sciences and Arts. He is also leads research projects in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam.