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richard-sullivan

Professor Richard Sullivan

Director, Institute of Cancer Policy and Co-Director of the Centre for Conflict & Health Research

Research interests

  • Cancer

Biography

Professor Richard Sullivan's research group studies health systems, particular NCD policy and the impact of conflict on health. He is Professor of Cancer and Global Health at King’s College London, and Director of the Institute of Cancer Policy (ICP) and co-Director of the Conflict and Health Research Group.  As well as holding a number of Visiting Chairs, Richard is an NCD advisor to the WHO, civil-military advisor to Save the Children, and a member of the National Cancer Grid of India His research focuses on global cancer policy and planning, and health systems strengthening, particularly conflict ecosystems. He is principle investigator on research programs ranging from automated radiotherapy planning for low resource settings to use of augmented/virtual reality for cancer surgery, through to political economy to build affordable, equitable cancer control plans. Richard has led five Lancet Oncology Commissions and worked on four others. He is currently co-leading Lancet Oncology commissions on the Future of Cancer Research in Europe and Cancer Care in Conflict. In conflict systems, his research teams have major programs in capacity building in conflict medicine across the Middle East and North Africa (r4hc-mena.org), as well as studies of the basic package of health services in Afghanistan, civil-military co-operation in health security, polio eradication and insecurity in Pakistan, and use of intelligence in high security disease outbreaks.  Professor Sullivan qualified in medicine and trained in surgery (urology), gaining his PhD from University College London. He was also clinical director of Cancer Research UK between 1999 and 2008. Following a period at the London School of Economics working on complex healthcare systems he moved to King’s College London in 2011. 

    Research

    mental health conflict hero
    Centre for Conflict & Health Research

    Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

    global health
    Global Oncology Group

    The Global Oncology Group brings together global cancer faculty across King’s College London and it’s NHS partner hospitals under Kings’ Health Partners.

    News

    King's helps build cancer partnerships across Sub-Saharan Africa

    The Global Oncology Group played a major role at this year’s African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) in promoting partnerships and...

    Africa

    Leading cancer doctors raise the alarm about “serious missteps” on cancer policy

    The loss of a dedicated National Cancer Control Plan in England and Wales has been a “major misstep” at a time when the NHS is facing massive workforce...

    A patient lies in a hospital bed, their head is out of frame

    2023 Surgery Commission offers solutions to improve cancer surgery outcomes

    King’s academics have collaborated with researchers, doctors and surgeons to make eight recommendations to help improve cancer surgery outcomes across the...

    Surgeons - Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

    Providing mental health support in peace efforts helps alleviate PTSD and depression

    New study shows group counselling and one -on-one peacebuilding activities improve mental health in Nigeria

    Children in Nigeria impacted by armed conflict

    Study highlights the cancer legacy of the Good Friday Agreement

    New research highlights the health and economic impact of the Good Friday Agreement on cancer across the island of Ireland in the last 25 years.

    Cancer care web

    Oncology drugs estimated to be $1 billion cheaper to develop through a precision approach

    Research and Development costs for targeted oncology drugs are markedly lower if guided by a companion diagnostic strategy, but current biopharmaceutical...

    pharmacy research

    King's researchers highlight impact of war on radiotherapy in Ukraine

    King’s researchers assess the state of radiotherapy care in Ukraine following the invasion of Russia, describing the problems created by the invasion and...

    radiotherapy

    COVID reforms in cancer care and research could have long-term benefits

    A new review led by Professor James Spicer considers the reforms in cancer care and research made due to the pandemic, arguing that some have left a positive...

    cancer care post covid 780×450

    King's researchers show leadership in virtual reality for global cancer surgery

    King’s researchers argue that virtual reality (VR) technology could be a critical tool for enhancing cancer surgical training around the world, but more work...

    VR headset 780x450

    King's oncologists comment on impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care

    The editorial, published in BMJ Oncology, explores the impact of the pandemic on the national cancer care system and the steps that should be taken going...

    Cancer care

    Events

    09Marhealth threats v2

    How do we respond to growing threats to health security?

    Our fifth War Studies at 60 seminar explores how to manage the scale and diversity of health security threats.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    04JunSSSResConScienceTechHealth

    Responses to Covid-19: Mapping intersections between security and health

    Science, Technology & Health panel event for the School of Security Studies Research Conference.

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    What impact does war have on Ukrainian cancer care?

    PROFESSOR RICHARD SULLIVAN: The rapid destruction of infrastructure including hospitals has hugely jeopardised treatment for cancer patients.

    cancer care ukraine

    Lebanon on life support: How politics made a nation sick

    A new multi-national research study shows how a long series of politically-driven crises have created a failed state and a public health disaster in Lebanon.

    lebanon-health-systemes

      Research

      mental health conflict hero
      Centre for Conflict & Health Research

      Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

      global health
      Global Oncology Group

      The Global Oncology Group brings together global cancer faculty across King’s College London and it’s NHS partner hospitals under Kings’ Health Partners.

      News

      King's helps build cancer partnerships across Sub-Saharan Africa

      The Global Oncology Group played a major role at this year’s African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) in promoting partnerships and...

      Africa

      Leading cancer doctors raise the alarm about “serious missteps” on cancer policy

      The loss of a dedicated National Cancer Control Plan in England and Wales has been a “major misstep” at a time when the NHS is facing massive workforce...

      A patient lies in a hospital bed, their head is out of frame

      2023 Surgery Commission offers solutions to improve cancer surgery outcomes

      King’s academics have collaborated with researchers, doctors and surgeons to make eight recommendations to help improve cancer surgery outcomes across the...

      Surgeons - Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

      Providing mental health support in peace efforts helps alleviate PTSD and depression

      New study shows group counselling and one -on-one peacebuilding activities improve mental health in Nigeria

      Children in Nigeria impacted by armed conflict

      Study highlights the cancer legacy of the Good Friday Agreement

      New research highlights the health and economic impact of the Good Friday Agreement on cancer across the island of Ireland in the last 25 years.

      Cancer care web

      Oncology drugs estimated to be $1 billion cheaper to develop through a precision approach

      Research and Development costs for targeted oncology drugs are markedly lower if guided by a companion diagnostic strategy, but current biopharmaceutical...

      pharmacy research

      King's researchers highlight impact of war on radiotherapy in Ukraine

      King’s researchers assess the state of radiotherapy care in Ukraine following the invasion of Russia, describing the problems created by the invasion and...

      radiotherapy

      COVID reforms in cancer care and research could have long-term benefits

      A new review led by Professor James Spicer considers the reforms in cancer care and research made due to the pandemic, arguing that some have left a positive...

      cancer care post covid 780×450

      King's researchers show leadership in virtual reality for global cancer surgery

      King’s researchers argue that virtual reality (VR) technology could be a critical tool for enhancing cancer surgical training around the world, but more work...

      VR headset 780x450

      King's oncologists comment on impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care

      The editorial, published in BMJ Oncology, explores the impact of the pandemic on the national cancer care system and the steps that should be taken going...

      Cancer care

      Events

      09Marhealth threats v2

      How do we respond to growing threats to health security?

      Our fifth War Studies at 60 seminar explores how to manage the scale and diversity of health security threats.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      04JunSSSResConScienceTechHealth

      Responses to Covid-19: Mapping intersections between security and health

      Science, Technology & Health panel event for the School of Security Studies Research Conference.

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      What impact does war have on Ukrainian cancer care?

      PROFESSOR RICHARD SULLIVAN: The rapid destruction of infrastructure including hospitals has hugely jeopardised treatment for cancer patients.

      cancer care ukraine

      Lebanon on life support: How politics made a nation sick

      A new multi-national research study shows how a long series of politically-driven crises have created a failed state and a public health disaster in Lebanon.

      lebanon-health-systemes