
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

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 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
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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Senior King's oncologists collaborate to deliver report on the state of cancer research across the Africa
Senior oncologists Professor Richard Sullivan and Dr Ajay Aggarwal from King’s have co-ordinated a major report that reviews the state of cancer research...

Cancer care crisis needs urgent attention, experts warn
The crisis in NHS cancer care is a ‘watershed moment’, according to King’s academics.

Brexit and COVID-19 could cause European cancer epidemic
With an estimated one million cancer diagnoses missed across Europe in the last two years, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to set back...

Senior King's oncologists weigh in on government health initiative
Senior oncologists at King’s have published an article for the British Medical Journal that weighs in on the government’s My Planned Care initiative and...

Urgent action required for the UK and US to tackle the global cancer epidemic
A new study by leading researchers in the UK and the US has highlighted the critical need for more strategic collaboration between these two global...

Events

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.

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.

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.

Research

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 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
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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Senior King's oncologists collaborate to deliver report on the state of cancer research across the Africa
Senior oncologists Professor Richard Sullivan and Dr Ajay Aggarwal from King’s have co-ordinated a major report that reviews the state of cancer research...

Cancer care crisis needs urgent attention, experts warn
The crisis in NHS cancer care is a ‘watershed moment’, according to King’s academics.

Brexit and COVID-19 could cause European cancer epidemic
With an estimated one million cancer diagnoses missed across Europe in the last two years, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to set back...

Senior King's oncologists weigh in on government health initiative
Senior oncologists at King’s have published an article for the British Medical Journal that weighs in on the government’s My Planned Care initiative and...

Urgent action required for the UK and US to tackle the global cancer epidemic
A new study by leading researchers in the UK and the US has highlighted the critical need for more strategic collaboration between these two global...

Events

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.

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.

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.
