Bethany Caitlin Medley

Bethany C. Medley (she/her) is a doctoral student at the Columbia University School of Social Work. Her research aims to improve the health and rights of people who use and/or sell drugs. Specifically, her interests include overdose prevention, peer-driven harm reduction interventions, and equitable access to opioid agonist medications (buprenorphine and methadone). Currently, Bethany is working with Dr. Louisa Gilbert on the HEALing Communities Study, which aims to reduce overdose deaths in New York State.

Before entering the doctoral program, Bethany was an adjunct lecturer for CSSW courses on harm reduction policy, programming, and practice interventions. Her previous experience includes facilitating train-the-trainer overdose education and naloxone distribution, increasing community-based buprenorphine access, developing anti-stigma campaigns, and promoting best practices for pregnant people who use drugs. Bethany remains actively involved in drug user led advocacy efforts that guide her research projects.

Bethany holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University.