Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship

The Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship was created through a landmark $40 million collaboration between the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Cancer Council NSW. We are shaping the future of cancer care by leading research that enhances long-term health outcomes, promotes quality of life and broadens access to support for people living with cancer.

About ARCCS

The Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship brings together experts focused on research that supports day-to-day wellbeing, treatment and recovery. We explore the complex challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis. Meet our team and discover how we collaborate with survivors, clinicians and communities to turn research into practical, real-world solutions that strengthen tailored, person-centred care throughout the cancer journey.

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Vision

Striving for the health and prosperity of all cancer survivors.

Mission

To deliver innovative and impactful research across all areas of cancer survivorship – in partnership with survivors, researchers, clinicians and the community.

Why our work matters

Australia leads the world in cancer survival rates. Our next challenge is to ensure that everyone not only survives but thrives. With 1.4 million survivors nationwide, tailored long-term care is essential. Many people face physical, emotional and social challenges after treatment, yet the research needed to guide best practice remains limited.

The Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship addresses this gap by co-designing evidence-based solutions that strengthen the health systems survivors rely on, ensuring care aligns with people’s needs.

We are working toward a future where survivors and their communities are supported to adapt, recover and flourish – so no one is left behind because of location, circumstance or barriers to care.

How we work

At the Health Translation Hub, located at UNSW’s Randwick campus in Sydney, we collaborate with survivors, researchers, policymakers and health professionals to co-design priority-driven, practical and scalable solutions that enhance survivorship care.

Through strong partnerships and the effective translation of research into practice, we are building a sustainable, evidence-based foundation to embed survivorship across the broader care landscape. This helps deliver fairer, better outcomes for people living with cancer in NSW, across Australia and globally.

Research & impact

At the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship, our research tackles the most pressing challenges in survivorship care to improve health outcomes, quality of life and equity.

Our work puts people, not the disease, first. We study long-term health, behaviour, genetics and lived experience to help personalise care, treatment and recovery for every cancer survivor.

Our focus areas

Survivorship epidemiology

We examine long-term trends in health, behaviour and quality of life to identify gaps in survivorship care and reduce barriers that contribute to unequal access.

Precision survivorship

We combine biological, lifestyle and behavioural insights to tailor care for every survivor, replacing one-size-fits-all approaches with personalised strategies that improve long-term health and survivorship outcomes.

Behaviour & health

We use public health insights and behavioural science to develop practical, evidence-based strategies that help cancer survivors stay active, boost energy and wellbeing, and maintain health after a cancer diagnosis.

Multimorbidity & complex care

We investigate how cancer interacts with other chronic conditions and complex health needs, addressing disability, frailty, mental health and access barriers that shape treatment and recovery.

Person-centred care

Person-centred care underpins our work, ensuring system design, policy and practice honour survivors’ values, stories and cultures. This promotes the co-creation of solutions and embeds research in everyday care.

Our team

Leadership
Operations

Professor Bogda Koczwara

Director

ARCCS

Professor Bogda Koczwara

Director

ARCCS

Professor Bogda Koczwara AM is an internationally recognised clinician-researcher and a leading authority in cancer survivorship and supportive care. She was appointed as the inaugural Director of the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship (ARCCS) in April 2025, bringing decades of experience in clinical oncology, survivorship research and health systems innovation.  

Prof. Koczwara established one of the nation’s first dedicated programs and convenes the world’s longest-running scientific forums focused on cancer survivorship, driving global collaboration, setting research priorities and improving models of care. Her research drives progress in survivorship epidemiology, symptom monitoring, self-management support and the integration of patient-reported outcomes into cancer care. Her work has shaped interventions in cardio-oncology, return-to-work support and long-term symptom management for cancer survivors.  

Prof. Koczwara’s leadership extends globally. She chairs the Psychosocial Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and the Survivorship Working Group of the International Cardio-Oncology Society. She is also the initiator of the Australia and Asia Pacific Clinical Oncology Research Development (ACORD) collaborative, which builds research capacity across the region.  

Her appointment to ARCCS reflects UNSW’s commitment to transforming survivorship care through collaborative, evidence-based research.

Available for interviews about cancer survivorship, supportive care, multimorbidity, self-management, cardio-oncology and models of survivorship care.

View UNSW profile

Stephanie Macmillan

Centre Manager

ARCCS

Jenny Gieng

Research Manager

ARCCS

Governance

Joint Steering Committee

Shaping ARCCS’ vision, priorities and investment

The Joint Steering Committee is made up of representatives from UNSW and Cancer Council NSW leadership. Together, they oversee ARCCS’s purpose, strategy and funding, guiding our research priorities.

Scientific Advisory Group

Providing expert guidance to promote research excellence and innovation

The Scientific Advisory Group reviews research progress and advises on emerging issues, partnerships and strategic opportunities to strengthen ARCCS programs.

Lived Experience Advisory Group

Championing lived experience to drive meaningful, person-centred research

The Lived Experience Advisory Group brings the voices of survivors, carers and families into ARCCS research, shaping design, delivery and real-world impact.