Christopher Jackson
Professor Christopher (CJ) Jackson, MBChB, FRACP, MInstD
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.
Professor Jackson is a medical oncologist, academic, and health system leader committed to improving access, equity, quality, and outcomes in cancer care. Based in Ōtepoti Dunedin, New Zealand, he specialises in gastrointestinal cancers and melanoma, combining an active clinical practice with leadership roles in health policy, research, and education.
He is Co-Lead of the Cancer National Clinical Network for Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, where he leads national projects to improve systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) access, consistency and outcomes, improving access to medicines, service organisation and quality, improving waiting times for treatment, and introducing new models of cancer care.
From 2015 to 2021, he served as Medical Director of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, where his advocacy contributed to the development of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan and the establishment of Te Aho o Te Kahu.
Internationally, Professor Jackson is a board member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a member of the Programme Board of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), a founding leader of the Common Sense Oncology movement, and an active member of ASCO, ESMO, and the Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group. He has previously served on ASCO’s Asia-Pacific Regional Council and is currently on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Global Oncology.
His research interests include health systems and health policy, drug development and clinical trials, collaborative translational research, and the monitoring of cancer care quality. He works extensively with government agencies, cancer charities, research organisations, and clinical networks to achieve evidence-based improvements in patient care.
In his spare time, he is a committed Radiohead fan, and his children—when pressed—have been known to describe him as “amongst their favourite parents.”