Ben is a condensed matter physics experimentalist who researches the electronic and magnetic properties of novel materials, both for their fundamental interest and for their potential application in electronic devices. He enjoys collaboration with a wide range of researchers from across New Zealand and around the world, including theorists and experimentalists, and he makes use of numerous synchrotron facilities. His research approach is founded on supervision of research students.

Ben is a principal investigator in the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, and he has held leadership roles within Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. He greatly enjoys teaching physics whether in a lecture, lab, or tutorial environment, and he places great value on building relationships with secondary school physics teachers.