Staff profiles
Professor Peter Wells
Director of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Phone 0114 225 6262
Email p.wells@shu.ac.uk
Peter Wells is professor of public policy analysis and evaluation, and director of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. He has extensive experience of research on urban and regional issues, specifically in project and programme evaluation, community involvement, community economic development, voluntary and community sector, local government, Structural Funds and EU regional policy.
He directed the Office of the Third Sector (Cabinet Office) funded national evaluation of Futurebuilders from 2005-2010. He was also involved in the National Evaluation of the New Deal for Communities as a member of the central data team. He currently directs the evaluation of Yorkshire Forward's Investment in the Charity Bank and is leading a study to develop an outcomes framework for the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). He has undertaken research for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) / Communities and Local Government (CLG), on Community Strategies and the Structural Funds), for the Home Office (evaluating its Capital Modernisation Fund for the voluntary and community sector) and for the Economic and Social Research Council..
Research interests
Peter has wide ranging research interests including
- evaluation and evidence based policy making
- social investment and the voluntary and community sector
- EU regional policy and the Structural Funds
- political economy and the governance of multi-sectoral partnerships
Current research projects
Please contact me for further details about these research projects and for summaries of the findings.
2010–11 Developing an Outcomes Framework for Local Infrastructure, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA).
2010–11 Sustainability Research, Big Lottery Fund
2008–2011 Evaluation of Yorkshire Forward's Investment in the Charity Bank, Yorkshire Forward. Role: Project director.
Selected reports (2001 onwards)
Please contact me for further details about these research projects and for summaries of the findings.
Wells, P., Dayson, C. with Batty, E., Crisp, R. and Parr. S. (2011) Social Investment and its Impact: The Evaluation of Charity Bank in the North (PDF 1.79MB). Sheffield: CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University
Wells, P., J. Gilbertson, T. Gore and M. Crowe (2011) A Big Society in Yorkshire and Humber? (PDF 493KB)
Roberts, D., McNeill, T., Wells, P., Crisp, R. and Gore, T. (2010) High Level Skills in Yorkshire and Humber - Understanding the Drivers of Change: Summary (1.52MB). Leeds: Yorkshire Futures.
Roberts, D., McNeill, T., Wells, P., Crisp, R. and Gore, T. (2010) High Level Skills in Yorkshire and Humber: Understanding the Drivers of Change - Phase 1 High Level Skills Context (3.09MB). Leeds: Yorkshire Futures.
Roberts, D., McNeill, T., Wells, P., Crisp, R. and Gore, T. (2010) High Level Skills in Yorkshire and the Humber: Understanding the Drivers of Change - Phase 2 Realist Synthesis (PDF 406KB). Leeds: Yorkshire Futures.
Wells, P., Gilbertson, J. and Gore, T. and Crowe, M.(2010) Measuring the Big Society? Approaches, problems and suggested improvements. Final Report (PDF 563KB). Sheffield: CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University.
Wells, P., Chadwick-Coule, T., Dayson, C. and Morgan, G. (2010), Evaluation of Futurebuilders (PDF 1.03MB).
Dayson, C., Hems, L., Wells, P. and Wilson, I. (2009), Impact of the Recession of the Third Sector: an initial quantitative assessment, (Birmingham: Capacitybuilders).
Duffy, D., Platts-Fowler, D. and Wells, P. (2008) Neighbourhood governance: making NDC elections a significant event for partnerships and communities? Some lessons from the New Deal for Communities Programme (PDF from CLG website). London, CLG.
Wells, P. and Macmillan, R. (2008) Evaluation of Yorkshire Forward's Investment in Charity Bank - Phase 1 Report. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Wells, P. et al. (2008) Evaluation of the South Yorkshire Social infrastructure Programme (PDF from Yorkshire Forward website). Annual Report. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Wells, P. (2008) Interim Report of the Evaluation of Futurebuilders. Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University.
Wells, P. (2007) Applying Innovative Methodologies to Evaluation Research: Final Report. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Wells, P., Mayblin, L. and Wilson, I. (2006) Evidence Review of Rotherham Ready. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Wells, P., Mayblin, L. and Wilson, I. (2006) Evidence Review of Better Deal for Business. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Wells, P., Mayblin, L. and Wilson, I. (2006) Evidence Review of Strategic Cluster Champions. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Wells, P. (2006) Applying Innovative Methodologies to Evaluation Research: Interim Report. Leeds, Yorkshire Forward.
Macmillan, R. and Wells, P. (2006) Evaluation of Futurebuilders: Annual Report. London, Cabinet Office.
Wells, P. (2006) Evaluation of Wakefield District Partnership. Phase 3: Synthesis Report. Wakefield, Wakefield District Partnership.
Wells, P. (2006) Formative Evaluation of Community Strategies: The Use of Evidence in Community Strategies. London, CLG.
Wells, P. and Goudie, R. (2005) Process Evaluation of Plan Rationalisation Formative Evaluation of Community Strategies - Review of Community Strategies: Overview of all and more detailed assessment of 50. London, ODPM.
Wells, P., Dowson, L. and Percy-Smith, J. (2005) Scoping Report: Process Evaluation of Plan Rationalisation and Formative Evaluation of Community Strategies. London, ODPM.
Coward, S., Etherington, D., Macmillan, R. and Wells, P. (2005) Neighbourhood Wardens - more than eyes and ears? (PDF from NDC website) Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University.
Wells, P., Hanson, S. and Gore, T. (2003) Mid Term Evaluation of the South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme. Leeds, Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, on behalf of the ODPM.
Wells, P. and Dowson, L. (2003) Evaluation of the Home Office Capital Modernisation Fund for the Voluntary and Community Sector. London, Home Office.
Gore, T., Powell, R. and Wells, P. (2003) The Contribution of Community Businesses to the Rural Economy of Yorkshire and the Humber. Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University.
Wells, P., Botterill, K. and Hill, C. (2003) Availability of Jobs - NDC Research Report 16. Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University.
Adams, L., Ferguson, B., Eastham, J., Pintus, S., Brown, G., Wells, P. and Noble, P. (2003) NHS Plan and Regional Economic Opportunities. Leeds, Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Academic publications (2001 onwards)
Wells, P. (2011) Prescriptions for regional economic dilemmas: understanding the role of think tanks in the governance of regional policy. Public administration. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9299.2011.01958.x.
Wells, P. (2011) Prospects for a Big Society? Special Issue of People Place and Policy Online: Guest Editorial. People, Place & Policy Online, 5 (2), pp. 50-54.
Crowe, M., Dayson, C. and Wells, P. (2010) Prospects for the Third Sector. People, Place and Policy Online, 4 (1), pp. 29-32.
Wells, P. (2010) Review Article - A Nudge One Way, A Nudge the Other: libertarian paternalism as political strategy. People, Place and Policy Online, 4 (3), pp. 111-118.
Crisp, R., Macmillan, R., Robinson, D. and Wells, P. (2009) Continuity or Change: Considering the policy implications of a Conservative government. People, Place and Policy Online 3, (1), pp. 58-74.
Gore, T. and Wells, P. (2009) Governance and Evaluation: The case of EU regional policy horizontal priorities. Evaluation and Program Planning, 32 pp. 158-167. doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2008.10.007
Wells, P. (2008) Community Cohesion and the Third Sector, In: Flint, J. and Robinson, D. (eds), Cohesion in Crisis? New Dimensions of Diversity and Difference. Bristol, Policy Press.
Wells, P. (2008) Book Review of Klein, N. (2007) The Shock Doctrine In: Community Development Journal.
Wells, P. (2007) New Labour and Evidence Based Policy Making: 1997-2007. People, Place and Policy Online, 1 (1), pp. 22-29.
Darlow, A, Percy-Smith, J. and Wells, P. (2007) Reflections on Community Strategies. Local Government Studies, 31 (1), pp. 117-129.
Armstrong, H.W. and Wells, P. (2006) Evaluating the Governance of Structural Funds Programmes: the Case of Community Economic Development in South Yorkshire. European Planning Studies, 14 (6), pp. 855-876. doi:10.1080/09654310500496198
Armstrong, H.W. and Wells, P. (2006) The Structural Funds and the Evaluation of Community Economic Development Initiatives: A United Kingdom Perspective. Regional Studies, 40 (2), pp. 259-272. doi:10.1080/00343400600600645
Gore, T, Powell, R. and Wells, P. (2006) The contribution of rural community businesses to integrated rural development: 'Local services for local people. Cahiers D'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n. 80, pp. 30-52.
Armstrong, H.W. and Wells, P. (2005) Multi-Level Governance and Civil Society: The Third Sector in the Design and Delivery of EU Regional Policy. In: I. Sagan and H. Halkier (eds), Regionalism Contested: Institutions, Society and Territorial Governance. London, Ashgate.
Perraton, J. and Wells, P. (2004) Multi-Level Governance and Economic Policy. In: Bache, I. and Flinders, M. (eds), Multi-Level Governance. Abingdon, Open University Press.
Gore, T., Powell, R. and Wells, P. (2004) Community businesses and the rural economy: the case of Yorkshire and the Humber. Yorkshire and Humber Regional Review, 14 (2), pp. 30-32.
Wells, P. and Hart, T. (2004) Impacts and effects of the 2000-2006 Structural Funds Programmes in Yorkshire and Humber: a mid-term assessment. Yorkshire and Humber Regional Review, 14 (1), pp. 3-5.
Armstrong, H.W, Kehrer, B. and Wells, P. (2002) The Evaluation of Community Economic Development Initiatives. Urban Studies, 39 (3), pp. 457-481.
Armstrong, H.W, Kehrer, B, Wells, P. and Wood, A. (2001) Initial Impacts of Community Economic Development Initiatives in the Yorkshire and Humber Structural Funds programme. Regional Studies, 35 (8).
Armstrong, H.W, and Wells, P. (2002) Economic and Social Exclusion: The Case of Yorkshire and the Humber. In: The Anglo-Japanese Academy proceedings of the conference National, Regional and Global Transition: A Common Agenda for Anglo-Japanese Relations in the Twenty First Century, 7–8 September 2001, pp. 255-284. Tokyo, ICCLP Publications.
Armstrong, H.W., Kehrer, B., Wells, P. and Wood, A. (2001) The evaluation of community economic development initiatives in United Kingdom Objective 2 Structural Funds programmes. In: the proceedings of Fourth European conference on evaluation of the Structural Funds - Evaluation for Quality, Edinburgh 18–19 September 2000, pp. 245-83. Brussels, European Commission.
Wells, P, Billington, H. and Keegan, R. (2001) Universities, sustainability and environmental engagement. The Regional Review, 11 (1).
Recent conference and seminar papers
Please contact me for a copy of the following:
Wells, P. (2011) The Role of the Third Sector in Government and Policy. University of Leeds, ESRC Seminar Series, The Third Sector and Criminal Justice. 10 February 2011
Wells, P. (2009) Researching the Impact of the Recession. Presentation to: Beating the Recession, Voluntary Action Sheffield, Sheffield Friday 8 May 2009.
Wells, P. (2009) EU regional policy and its impact on the sustainability of the Voluntary and Community Sector. Paper presented to: Regional Studies Conference 2009 Understanding and Shaping Regions: Spatial, Social and Economic Futures, 6–8 April 2009, Leuven, Belgium.
Wells, P. (2008) Multi-level Governance and Economic Cohesion: a critical analysis of fiscal decentralisation and multi level governance. Paper presented to the Committee of the Regions Third Atelier on Multi Level Governance (16 December).
Wells, P. (2008) Ideas, Governance and the Role of Think Tanks in UK Regional Policy. Plenary presentation to the Restructuring Governance Symposium, Sheffield. 21 November.
Wells, P. (2008) How is Regional Policy Made: A Critical Look at the Role of Think Tanks? Presentation to CURDS/ONE North East Regional Insights Seminar, University of Newcastle, 5 November 2008.
Wells, P. (2008) Prescriptions for Regional Economic Dilemmas: understanding the role of Think Tanks in the governance of regional policy. Paper presented to the Regional Studies Association Conference, 27–29 May, Prague.
Wells, P. (2007) Evaluating Futurebuilders: learning from a policy experiment, Keynote presentation to the 'Futurebuilders Seminar', 31 January, London.
Manning, J. and Wells, P. (2006) Social Return on Investment: the possibilities and pitfalls of measuring the voluntary and community sector. CRESR Seminar, Sheffield Hallam University, 6 December 2006.
Wells, P., Mount, P. and Jefferson, B. (2006) Evaluation as a Tool of Change Management in Regional Policy: critical reflections from a cross-discipline/cross-profession evaluation. Paper presented to the European Evaluation Society Conference, 'Evaluation in Society - Critical reflections', London 4–6 October.
Wells, P. (2006) Innovative evaluation methods: findings and reflections from Yorkshire Forward business support and enterprise project evaluations, UK Evaluation Society (Yorkshire and Humber Network), Sheffield, 12 September.
Wells, P. (2004) Evaluating Bottom-Up Development: approaches, findings and possibilities. Paper presented to the Workshop Partnership and Bottom-up Approaches - where are we now? Brussels, 31 March (organised by ECOTEC on behalf of the European Commission).
Wells, P. (2004) Involving the voluntary and community sector in public service delivery: the promises, pitfalls and possibilities of 'What Works'. Paper presented to: 10th Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference, Sheffield Hallam University, 1–2 September 2004.
Wells, P. (2004) New Labour and Evidence Based Policy Making. Paper given to the Political Economy Research Centre 2003–04 Seminar Series, 16 May, University of Sheffield, Sheffield.
Gore, T., Powell, R. and Wells, P. (2004) 'Local Services for Local People': Community Businesses and Integrated Rural Development in the Yorkshire and Humber Region of the UK. Regional Studies Association Conference on 'Europe at the Margins: EU Regional Policy, Peripherality and Rurality', 15–16 April 2004, Angers, France.
Wells, P., Gore, T., Escott, K. and Booth, C. (2004) Incentives and Constraints to Regional Policy Innovation: the implementation of the horizontal priorities in the 2000-06 Structural Funds Programmes. Regional Studies Association Conference on 'Europe at the Margins: EU Regional Policy, Peripherality and Rurality', 15–16 April 2004, Angers, France.
Dowson, L. and Wells, P. (2003) Modernising the Voluntary and Community Sector: the process of service enhancement. Paper presented to the British Academy of Management Conference, 'Knowledge into Practice', Harrogate 15–17 September, 2003.
Wells, P. and Georgiou, C. (2003) Developing the Evidence Base for Transformational Change: the Mid Term Evaluation of the South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme. Paper presented to the 'Fifth European Conference on Evaluation of the Structural Funds', Budapest, 26–27 June 2003.
Armstrong, H.W., Wells, P. and Woolford, J.L. (2003) Multi Level Governance, Regional Policy and the Role of the Third Sector: the emergence of new policy networks in the United Kingdom? Paper presented to the conference, 'Reinventing Regions in the Global Economy', Regional Studies Association, 12–15 April 2003, Pisa, Italy.
Perraton, J. and Wells, P. (2003) Multi-Level Governance and Economic Cohesion: Applications to European Integration. Paper presented to the conference, 'Reinventing Regions in the Global Economy', Regional Studies Association, 12–15 April 2003, Pisa, Italy.
Armstrong, H.W., Wells, P. and Woolford, J. (2002) Inclusion of Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations in Regional Policy Partnerships: issues for evaluation and governance. Paper presented to the conference, 'The Evaluation of Regional and Local Public Policies: utility and capacity for territorial managers', 2–3 November, Barcelona.
Wells, P. (2002) Urban Partnerships Under New Labour: issues of governance, equality and equity. Paper presented to the ESRC Seminar Series 'Managing and Researching Urban Partnerships: equality and equity in partnerships', 28 November, Aston Science Park, Birmingham.
Armstrong, H.W., Wells, P. and Woolford, J. (2002) Evaluation, Governance and the Inclusion of the Third Sector in Regional Policy Partnerships. Paper presented to the Regional Studies Association Conference: 'Evaluation and EU Regional Policy', Aix-en-Provence, France, 31 May–1 June 2002.
PhD supervision
Peter is currently director of studies for five PhDs. The topics currently supervised are
- The impact of public service delivery on voluntary and community organisations (ESRC Quota Studentship)
- The use of evidence based decision-making in prioritising investment (ESRC Quota Studentship)
- The Practice of Integrated Rural Development Policy Making and Implementation: reaction and response of community support organisations in the Yorkshire and Humber region (ESRC CASE Studentship)
- Institutions, power and scale: exploring the politics of economic development in Northern England (Hallam Studentship)
- Multi-level Governance and the Communities First Programme in Wales (ESRC Quota Award)
He would welcome discussion in supervising students in these fields and around the following areas
- evidence based policy making
- changing role of the voluntary and community sector in public policy
- social investment
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