Education: PhD Ulster University, 2006, MA Queens University Belfast, 1997, BSc Hons Ulster University, 1993. Wes worked in commercial archaeology before joining the Irish government's Underwater Unit (OPW) in Dublin. He came to Ulster as a Research Fellow in 1999, and was appointed lecturer in 2008.

Wes is a maritime archaeologist, with interests in the activities and economies of coastal communities in the medieval and post-medieval eras. His research examines strategies for exploiting and utilising marine resources and their resulting effect on the coastal landscape. Much of his work has been focused on Ireland and Scotland and their islands investigating monuments related to fishing, kelp- and salt-making . He has also made contributions to Arabic and Swahili archaeology along the East African coast from Sudan to Mozambique. This work has investigated medieval settlements and explored their maritime infrastructure and role within broader Indian Ocean networks and economies.

Funding has come from a range of sources including research institutes, government, charities and trusts. Recently funded projects included grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Honor Frost Foundation, and the Global Challenges Research Fund.