James Wells

James Wells is Professor of Physics at the University of Michigan. He has also been staff member or resident scholar at three international physics laboratories (CERN in Switzerland/France, DESY in Germany and SLAC in California). He has served on the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP) that guides high-energy physics research for the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. In these capacities he has lead or co-lead numerous studies for decision making bodies on large-scale (multi-billion dollar) research infrastructure projects both in the United States and abroad. He was also selected by the American Physical Society to serve as a member and subsequently chair of the Panel on Public Affairs (POPA), which oversees the creation, adoption and advocacy for policy positions taken in Washington by the Society. His activities and research interests in policy have been at the intersection of "big science" and national security, focusing on the various scientific and sociological factors that impact decision making and policy for large-scale science projects and initiatives, including those that impact national security through sensitive international engagement, stable scientific infrastructure concerns, and large-scale defense(-related) programs and initiatives.