Sara MacLennan

I am a senior health psychologist who works within urology, psycho-oncology and the health psychology of cancer. I am currently a senior lecturer in the Academic Urology Unit, and Deputy Director of the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Director of Operations for UCAN (Urological CANcer charity) and hold an honorary contract with NHS Grampian. I am an Honorary Research Fellow, Birkbeck University of London. I am a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a registered health psychologist (Health & Care Professions Council).

I pursue an interdisciplinary approach, within the social and health sciences, to cancer care. I have established global partnerships of academics, patients, non-profit organisations, professional organisations and policy makers. I have an international reputation within urology, psycho-oncology and health psychology of cancer as a qualitative research methodologist.

My research strategy focuses on understanding the impact of cancer and treatment on individual’s lives and methods for involving different stakeholder groups, particularly patients, in the design and delivery of care.

I lead on three international projects on stakeholder engagement in cancer care:

1. EVOLVE – Giving cancer patient’s a meaningful voice within clinical practice guidelines (European Network)
2. PIONEER – Enhancing prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment through the power of big data in Europe (Lead for Aberdeen) (European Network)
3. ICANTREAT – Increasing participation in breast cancer screening and treatment in Manipal, India (International Global Health Network)

I am a co-applicant on four national projects on stakeholder engagement:

1. PARTNER – Shared decision making within prostate cancer
2. ASSICA – Developing digitally supported cancer aftercare for diverse populations
3. CATHETER II – Understanding the patient experience of catheter care (Urogynaecology)
4. PACFIND – Patient-centred care for Fibromyalgia

I am interested in supervising PhD topics relating to:

1) the design and delivery of care and after care for those diagnosed with cancer or other long-term conditions;

2) stakeholder engagement in the design and implementation of care for those living with and beyond cancer or other long-term conditions and

3) the management of work and working life and cancer or other long-term conditions.