PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2025

International Convention Centre, Sydney
27-28 March 2025

Registrations closing soon!

Forum registrations will close on 19 March. Not sure yet? Check out our amazing lineup of speakers, including three international keynote speakers, consumer advocates, as well as experts in palliative care and cancer symptom management. Tickets are selling fast - get in quick to secure your place. Register today.

Sponsor the PaCCSC & CST Research Forum

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for organisations eager to showcase their commitment to improving the quality of life for those facing cancer and other life-limiting illnesses. 

Join us in supporting the future of cancer care by connecting with palliative care and cancer symptom management research leaders and helping to influence the future of clinical research.

Explore our tailored sponsorship packages and become a part of this important event. Read the sponsorship prospectus.

Consumers Included event

We are proud that the PaCCSC & CST Research Forum 2025 has ‘Consumers Included’ status provided by Cancer Voices ensuring that the perspectives of patients, survivors, carers, and other members of the public affected by cancer are part of the planning and program of the forum.

Consumers provide firsthand experiences and insights into the challenges and issues they face during their cancer journey. These real-world perspectives can guide researchers and clinicians in identifying gaps in care and improving the quality of life.

The active participation of consumers can lead to more relevant research questions, more effective study designs, and better communication of research findings to the public.

Involving consumers in research enhances the quality and relevance of the discussions, promotes patient-centred care, and ultimately contributes to the overall goal of improving cancer care and outcomes. It also ensures that the research and discussions are aligned with the needs and perspectives of those directly affected by cancer.

Message from the Co-conveners

The Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC) and Cancer Symptom Trials (CST) have a shared focus on conducting clinical trials to find solutions to symptoms that negatively impact quality of life for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

PaCCSC & CST have a track record of supporting early- and mid-career researchers to develop their study ideas into mature clinical trial concepts. They also support healthcare professionals to take their first steps into research. We have personal experience of this, including feedback and advice on early ideas, workshopping, and writing support for trial concepts, protocols, grant applications, and ethics submissions.

The PaCCSC & CST Research Forum is an opportunity for healthcare professionals, researchers, and consumers to come together to share new research, propose innovative ideas, take part in stimulating discussions, and cultivate new connections. 

In 2025, the Forum theme gives us an opportunity to explore the scientific foundations – the evidence - that informs practice to enhance quality of care.

If you are a researcher, healthcare professional or consumer with experience or interest in palliative care or cancer symptom management research, we invite you to register for the forum. Take this opportunity to make connections, build your networks, and takeaway new knowledge that you can implement in your organisation.

We look forward to meeting you in March 2025!

Dr Wei Lee, Celia Marston, Dr Ruwani Mendis, and Dr Angela Rao
Research Forum 2025 co-conveners

Forum Planning Committee

Professor Meera Agar, CST Chair
Professor Brian Le, PaCCSC Co-Chair
Associate Professor Tim Luckett, PaCCSC Co-Chair
Dr Wei Lei, Co-convener
Celia Marston, Co-convener
Dr Ruwani Mendis, Co-convener
Dr Angela Rao, Co-convener
Dan Kent, Consumer Advocate
Peter Spolc, Consumer Advocate
Dr Rayan Saleh Moussa, PaCCSC/CST/ITCC National Manager
Belinda Fazekas, ITCC National Project Officer
Meg Stewart, PaCCSC/CST Project Officer
Linda James, PaCCSC/CST Project Officer