Chris Jackson is Professor of Oncology at the University of Otago, Dunedin, and a medical oncologist at Dunedin Hospital and Mercy Cancer Care. He is a clinician, researcher, leader, and advocate.  

He was previously the medical director of the Cancer Society of NZ, and his advocacy led to the funding of new cancer drugs, to the development of a new national cancer plan, and to the birth of the national cancer agency.  He currently chairs the agency’s clinical committee, serves on the advisory board, and leads a national project to improve SACT outcomes.  

He is on the programme board of the International Cancer Benchmarking Project (ICBP), and is a founding member of the Common Sense Oncology movement. He is a member of ASCO, ESMO, Australasian GI Trials group and on the Executive committee of the NZ Society for Oncology. He previously served on ASCO’s Asia-Pacific Regional Council and is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Global Oncology.  

His research is in drug development and clinical trials, collaborative translational research, as well as health systems and health policy. He works with government agencies, cancer charities, politicians, research organisations, and whoever will listen to improve access, equity, quality, and better cancer care. He is a Radiohead tragic, and his kids refer to him as “amongst their favourite parents”.