DR Bethan Coupland

Bethan is a teacher and education leader, currently Head of Upper College (Assistant Head) at Cheltenham Ladies' College, one of the UK's most prominent boarding schools. In her role, Bethan is responsible for supporting the academic and pastoral development of around 300 pupils aged 14-16. As such, she has first-hand experience of navigating the challenges associated with teenagers' access to social media and frequent device use. Although an advocate for the many positive uses of technology in education and wider life, like many other teachers and parents, Bethan is concerned about the impact of the online world on the development of young people and the relative lack of regulation and action being taken to protect young people online. As an expert for Big Sister, Bethan acts in a personal capacity, rather than representing the views of CLC as a school. 

In a previous life, Bethan was an academic, having studied a PhD in History, with a specific interest in heritage and memory studies. Her research has always been people-focused, with a strong emphasis on how people's history shapes their identity. Bethan has worked in education in the UK, the U.S. and New Zealand. Her passion for teaching History and Politics remains but she has also developed a keen interest in wider education policy and practice through her leadership roles.  

Bethan is delighted to be supporting the Big Sister project, with a particular lens on how this sort of technology might support young girls and their parents.