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Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission and Chief Scientist Office announce partnership to fund new Tessa Jowell Fellowships
The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) and the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) have today announced a new partnership to advance brain tumour treatment care and research through Scotland’s first dedicated neuro-oncology Fellowships
This collaboration — part of the prestigious Tessa Jowell Fellowship Programme — represents a significant step forward in advancing neuro-oncology treatment, care, and research opportunities for patients with a brain tumour across Scotland.
The inaugural Scottish Neuro-oncology Fellowship will be a joint position based at the Edinburgh Centre for Neuro-oncology and Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
It is thought that the Edinburgh and Glasgow sites represent centres of complementary clinical and research strength, thanks partly to a strong track record of collaboration, with joint initiatives including the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and the recently announced Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.
The first Fellowship — co-funded with the Beatson Cancer Charity and NHS Lothian Charity — has been awarded to Dr Sarah Kingdon, a clinical oncology trainee currently based in University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
Commenting on the new partnership, Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientist (Health) at Scottish Government, said: “It is through research and innovation that effective new treatments for brain tumours will be developed, therefore I’m delighted the Chief Scientist Office is partnering with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission.
“This joint Fellowship will help build our future research capacity in neuro-oncology, and is part of our continued efforts to build strong, collaborative partnerships with the third sector to advance innovative treatments and improve quality of life for patients.”
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. The cure rates for brain tumours have remained low for many decades due to multiple complex issues. To improve treatment and outcomes, it is important that we train a new generation of highly motivated and skilled scientist clinicians who can offer new ideas aimed at solving existing and future challenges.
The 12-month funded Fellowship aims to provide the Fellow with experience in the breadth of comprehensive brain tumour management and to develop the necessary research skills to, in time, lead high-impact, practice-changing neuro-oncology clinical trials.
In addition to this groundbreaking Fellowship, CSO has committed to funding a second Fellowship in Neurology together with the Beatson Cancer Charity. This expansion aims to further ensure that Scottish patients with a brain tumour have sufficient access to specialised neurological care, reinforcing the ongoing effort of the Scottish government to improve patient outcomes.
Professor Anthony Chalmers, Chair of Clinical Oncology at the University of Glasgow and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre: “We are extremely excited to welcome our first Tessa Jowell Clinical Fellow to Glasgow and have already had a number of stimulating meetings with Sarah that have helped us to map out a varied and innovative programme for her fellowship.
“She has some very interesting ideas for research projects and we will work closely with the Edinburgh team to make sure the Fellowship is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
Publication date: 18th March 2025
