Melissa Wells

Melissa Wells is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire, with her office located in Pettee Hall, Room 239, Durham, NH. She is a leading researcher in child victimization and trauma-responsive social work practice.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of New Hampshire
• M.S.W. in Social Work, University of Minnesota
• B.A. in Spanish, University of New Hampshire

Dr. Wells' research centers on child victimization within and outside family systems, specializing in trauma-informed and resilience-based approaches. Her work examines online safety for youth with disabilities, peer harassment dynamics, and the integration of social media in child welfare practice. Funded by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, her scholarship bridges research and real-world application in child protection systems.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent focus on digital-era child safety challenges, particularly how technology amplifies risks for vulnerable youth. Her studies span educational implications of social media, disability-related harassment patterns, and substance abuse impacts in child welfare contexts, establishing foundational insights for evidence-based interventions.

She received recognition as a member of the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) 2022-2023 leadership development cohort.

Dr. Wells teaches advanced courses including SW 440A: Honors/Healthy Communities, SW 798H: Honors Thesis, SW 799H: Honors Project, SW 962: Data Analysis and Statistics, and SW 965: Program & Practice Evaluation. Her teaching directly incorporates findings from her federally funded research, preparing students for data-driven practice in complex child welfare environments.