As a cultural anthropologist, his research analyzes and traces the roots of religion and spiritualism in human culture. Stevens is also an expert on West African spiritual culture, conducting field work and other research into subjects that include rites of passage and magic, sorcery and witchcraft in the region. His book, The Stone Images of Esie, Nigeria, was published in 1978. In 2012 he was conferred with an honorary chieftaincy title for his work.