Head of research and education at In Place of War, a social enterprise that supports creative communities in sites of conflict, post-conflict and developing countries. Bean's research focuses on arts based community responses to conflict and peacebuilding and creative social entrepreneurship as a pathway to development. She has also written a short course, the Creative and Social Entrepreneur Programme which has been delivered in 14 countries. The programme was awarded the University of Manchester’s Outstanding Contribution to Widening Participation, 2017.