Research and teaching interests include experimental and behavioral economics, labor economics, and industrial organization. Dr. Owens's research has appeared in journals such as the American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, Journal of Economic Behavioral and Organization, Journal of Urban Economics, and Applied Economics. He also held an academic appointment at Middle Tennessee State University, where he served as the graduate director overseeing the Economics Ph.D. and Master’s programs. He mentored numerous students serving as chair for Ph.D. dissertations and honors theses.