Chris Jackson is a Professor of Oncology and Deputy Dean at the Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, co-lead of the NZ Cancer National Clinical Network, and a medical oncologist at Dunedin Hospital and Mercy Cancer Care. He holds several domestic and international leadership roles in clinical medicine, research, and cancer policy.

Formerly the Medical Director of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, his leadership was instrumental in the creation of New Zealand’s national cancer agency, Te Aho o Te Kahu. He has played a central role in shaping national cancer policy, including authorship of the National Cancer Plan and leading key initiatives to benchmark cancer care quality, improve equity, increase funding for cancer drugs, and reform chemotherapy services across the country.

Internationally, Chris serves on the Board of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), is a programme board member of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), and is a founding leader of the global Common Sense Oncology movement. He has also served on the Asia-Pacific Regional Council of ASCO and the editorial board of the Journal of Global Oncology.

His research spans drug development, clinical trials, and health systems. He has led the development of oral paclitaxel, and continues to advocate for evidence-based, equitable care with a distinctly human focus.