His research addresses the sociocultural and experiential valuation of the historic environment and ways to assess these values, with a focus on participatory research, phenomenology, and mixed-methods, in order to inform planning practice for the historic environment. Wells is also involved in the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), where he created the Historic Environment Network that focuses on ways to integrate environmental design and behavior research into heritage conservation practice. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning from Clemson University and also holds an M.S. in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Historic Preservation from Southeast Missouri State University.