Social Science Perspectives on the Working Lives of Those with Cancer: Psychosocial, Organisational and Economic Perspectives

Lead Research Organisation: Birkbeck, University of London
Department Name: Organisational Psychology

Abstract

This Seminar Series has been designed to critically discuss our current knowledge relevant to the working lives of those of employment age with cancer and to do so from the social science perspective with a focus on psychosocial, organisational and economic issues. It is multi-disciplinary in nature and considers the European context to the area. Its objectives are threefold: to shape the research agenda for the future, to help develop research capacity, and to support the translation of current knowledge into policy and practice. In doing these things, it is hoped that the seminar series will promote the contribution of the social sciences to this important area.

The seminars will review and discuss six different perspectives each reflecting on the involvement an important stakeholder group. These range from that of the person with cancer, through those of the health care professionals, the employers and their occupational health providers, those involved with legal and insurance matters to those concerned with the labour market and wider economic contexts. The final seminar in this cluster will concern the European perspective. These 6 seminars will be framed by 3 seminars that have been designed to manage the development of the series in terms of the knowledge gained, lessons learned and conclusions arrived at. These development seminars will assure the effective delivery of the seminar series outputs.

The seminar series will deliver four different outputs in the short to medium term. First, those involved will publish a short series of papers and an edited volume which will capture the content of the seminars; the background, the discussions and the conclusions. Second, it will also produce a series of short Guidance Notes tailored to the needs of the key stakeholder groups. Third, it will build a collaboration towards an application for funding under the Horizon 2020 (Societal Issues) Programme. Finally, as part of this initiative it will establish a development programme for early Career Researchers in this area involving them, as appropriate, in the funding bid and in any subsequent research.

The importance of the seminar series lies not just in the issue that it addresses but also in the ways that it will shape future research and support the exploitation of current knowledge to better understand and manage the engagement in work of those with cancer. Beyond this, it attempts to secure the future in this area through the development of young researchers.

Planned Impact

The objectives for the series are focused both on the development of the research agenda and on the translation of current knowledge into policy and practice. Furthermore, the underlying beliefs are that many of the key issues for a better understanding and management of policy and practice are essentially the remit of the social sciences and that the contribution made by the disciplines involved needs to be developed and promoted. Together, these objectives, in the context of the underlying beliefs, should bring benefit to those of working age with cancer, those who are involved in their diagnosis, treatment and aftercare, employers and associated employment bodies and services, and to the wider economy. These eventual outcomes are essentially about national health and national wealth. Finally, the promotion of the social sciences in this area is critically dependent on capacity in research and, therefore, on the development of Early Career Researchers. Impact can be conceptualized in these terms: a table suggesting measures of impact is presented in the proposal.

Short Term Pathways
Social media will be developed to support public engagement using freely available systems such as Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin with RSS feeds. These accounts will be advertised through appropriate online sites such as Macmillan Cancer Support. They will stay active after the seminars ended so that interested members of the public can follow and contribute to the translation of research into policy and practice. The project website will be developed as an information portal (including podcasts and lay summaries of research related outputs).

Medium Term Pathways
Two papers are planned for peer reviewed journals which will summarise the findings and conclusions of the seminars in Cancer Survivorship and in Occupational Medicine. Both journals are widely read by those working in this area, the first by researchers in psychosocial oncology and the later by medical practitioners and researchers involved in cancer related areas. These papers will be developed from the discussions in the Development Seminars and the summaries provided by the Rapporteurs at the Discussion Seminars. An edited volume or monograph is also planned based on the Keynote papers presented at the Discussion Seminars and the subsequent formal commentaries and open discussions. These contributions will be supplemented as appropriate by invited contributions from the stakeholder groups. It is also planned to publish short Guidance Notes tailored to specific stakeholder groups involved with the diagnosis, treatment, aftercare and employment of those with cancer covering both policy and operational issues. These notes will be developed with significant input from the stakeholders involved in the seminar series and may be published with one of the cancer charities (or ESRC) or another organisation relevant to a stakeholder group.

Medium to Long Term Pathways
The seminar series will act as a vehicle for a collaborative bid to Horizon 2020 for research funds in the area of cancer survivorship and working life. The starting point for this bid will be a critical review of the research proposed by the METIS Collaboration submission to the 2013 ESRC MRC Call on Extending the Working Life of Older Workers (short listed). In association with a Horizon 2020 Bid, it is proposed to explore the possibility of an cross-university Development Programme for Early Career Researchers with the involvement of some in the Horizon Bid and subsequent research.
 
Description The Seminar Series focused on cancer and employment and was designed to promote the sharing of research and practice knowledge within and across stake-holder groups both professional and non-professional. The vehicle for facilitating such knowledge sharing was the managed combination of informative presentations to mixed participant groups stimulating critical discussion. The presentations and discussions were framed by three basic questions: "what are the challenges?", what do we know?" and "what do we need to know and to do that will lead to better policy, practice and applied research?"

Six Discussion seminars were held supported by seven Management meetings. Speakers and participants came from a wide variety of backgrounds and were drawn from seven different European countries. The seminars focused on the perspectives of those diagnosed with cancer and of their families, the economic context, the legal and insurance industries' perspectives, the health and care professionals' perspectives, the perspective of employing organisations, and the sources and uses of data on work participation across Europe.

The key findings appeared to be either specific to the seminars' areas of concern or were more universal in nature. The most specific points were raised in relation to research and arose in the seminars on the economics context and on sources and uses of data on work participation across Europe. The focus here is on four of the more universal findings.

The most challenging finding for the future was the fractured nature of knowledge and concern in relation to cancer and employment with many not appreciating the contribution of the social sciences. It was agreed that such 'silo thinking' must be addressed. The contributions of the various stake-holder groups did not appear to reflect a situation in which knowledge was shared, in which different perspectives were readily acknowledged and understood, and in which there was a joined up system of information provision and advice giving.

Many reasons for this state of affairs were identified: lack of awareness or denial of the importance of work participation for those with cancer, failures of communication within and between stakeholder groups, lack of awareness and sharing of what is known, and lack of knowledge of the roles that others can play in this area. Concerns were expressed about defining the limits of individual's professional or moral responsibilities and competences. The relative importances of professional advice and patient control in decision making are not always understood or worked through.

While much good practice was revealed, another of the important findings was that no overall and universal set of processes exists for guiding and supporting those with cancer in relation to work participation. Whatever processes do exist appear to be local and most have obvious gaps in them that need to be filled.

There are many information booklets and supportive websites available to those with cancer and those involved in supporting them. However, it was not clear to what extent these are used and this may be because not all meet patients' needs. Many focus on the legal rights of those diagnosed with cancer and on the obligations, in law, of their employing organisations. However, skepticism existed as to whether they capture the on-the-ground reality or offer the average person a feasible way forward. Of particular concern were the issues of 'disclosure' and 'loss of employment'.

Finally, a recurrent comment related to a lack of understanding of the reality and experience of being diagnosed and treated with cancer. It was believed that this lack of understanding was detrimental to the management of work participation.
Exploitation Route Managing the project has shaped The METIS Collaboration's forward planning and that of the Centre for Sustainable Working Life; a four point Continuation Strategy exists. It covers four areas.

(1) The continued development of the network of those engaged in research, practice and policy including ECRs. The current list approaches 200. Key challenges are knowledge sharing across and within stake-holder groups and the nature and utility of Communities of Expertise. An important part of this aspect of the overall plan, is the continuing development and trialling of the proposed website. It is currently at the beta stage of technical development and about to be trialed. Work is focussing on the social processes involved including a social contract and rules of engagement for the Community of Expertise (https://www.abdn.ac.uk/iahs/research/urology/metis/index.php).

(2) The application of the above (1&2) in developing local advice and information networks, involving key stakeholder groups, and a Community of Expertise that both learns and shares learning. Part of The research strategy of The METIS and the Centre is continued research around patient information and advice needs focused on particular cancer types and experiences. New research is underway. To take this forward, the relevant methodological and research management issues have been discussed. Relevant sources of funding are being evaluated.

(3) The development of further publications and presentations on the Seminar Series and related issues are planned and in-hand.

(4) Finally, the provision of doctoral-level teaching on issues relating cancer and employment as a central element of the continuing development of the Centre's Professional Doctorate in Occupational Health Psychology & Management. To ensure wider access to the relevant modules, as well as the overall programme, an online / distance learning platform is being developed.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Healthcare,Other
URL http://www.bbk.ac.uk/cswl
 
Description The ESRC funded Seminar Series was part of the longer term development of a programme of applied research and practice focused on cancer survivorship and work engagement. The ESRC funding provided the financial platform for a series of six one-day Discussion seminars and a similar number of Management Meetings all focused on social sciences perspectives on cancer and employment. It was supported by The METIS Collaboration previously established as the framework for the cancer survivorship and work engagement programme. The seminars were hosted by three universities, Aberdeen, Birkbeck and Newcastle, and the series was managed by the Centre for Sustainable Working Life at Birkbeck University of London. In addition to the series of seminars and meetings, the ESRC funding helped the Collaboration deliver in four different areas of impact: dedicated website and network development, publications and presentations, research development and professional education. Website: Cancer & Employment by METIS: One of the initial objectives of the Seminar Series award was the development of a network of those interested in the issues surrounding cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship in relation to work and working life. It became obvious during the various discussions held over the course of the award that simply compiling and working with a list of such parties would not be sufficient in itself as a basis for such a network. It would need, among other things, a platform that worked to actively attract and engaged those with a research or professional interest. As a result, a new website dedicated to this end is being developed in conjunction with Rob&Paul Ltd Galway. The beta version is close to completion and trialling. The organisational and operational framework and related design issues are also close to completion. The website, under the banner heading The Metis Collaboration, has been completed apart from the final ext and will be launched later in the year, 2020. Use of the website as the platform for further developing both the network of those involved in the Seminar series and to encourage, inform and support those concerned with the issues of cancer and employment. Its usage going forward will to some extent provide metrics of the impact of the Seminar Series. Publications & Presentations: There have been a number of relevant publications in reputable journals and edited volumes during and after the period of the award. The most challenging aspect of scientific publication, in the present university climate, is an overview of the entire series but this is work-in-progress. Research Development: The core group for the ESRC Seminar series developed and changed over the period of the award as some members moved to new positions or were subject to new demands elsewhere or new interests. These are summarised in the Report. The group that was represented in the final Management meeting and associated seminar has continued to work together and, among other things, has attracted new research funding for particular psychosocial aspects of cancer survivorship. Birkbeck University of London has funded the establishment of an international collaboration of researchers to work towards external research funding in the area of post-traumatic stress, health and working life with a focus on low cost large group interventions. The core group is based on Birkbeck University of London, Aberdeen University School of Medicine and Dentistry and the University of Minas Gerais Brazil. It has other interested colleagues in Universities of Pennsylvania USA, University of Nottingham and the Karolinska Institute Sweden. There are several research themes being pursued included that of the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment and particularly breast, prostate and head and neck cancers. The Centre for Sustainable Working Life (CSWL), Birkbeck University of London, launched a new professional doctorate programme in occupational health psychology (PDP) admitting its first intake in Autumn 2017. The programme is, in many ways, an enhanced PhD with a managed structure and a clear focus on real world research on issues of importance to its members with the design of feasible interventions as its main objective. The programme is part time and its members are, by and large, in employment with experience relevant to their subject area. cancer survivorship and work engagement is one of the PDP's designated research interests. A member of the 2017 2018 cohort is working with head and neck cancer survivors in relation to their experience of working and their decisions on their career development. They were one of the initial members of the Collaboration and continue to be involved in it. Professional Education: As mentioned above, CSWL developed and launched a new professional doctorate in occupational health during the period of the Seminar Series. Although an original objective of CSWL, the shape of the programme and its likely areas of research interest were influenced by the discussions that took place within that series. This influence was made obvious in three particular ways: in the focus on feasible low cost interventions, in the inclusion of academic input on long term conditions and working life, and in cancer and employment being one of its three declared research themes. Academic input and research supervision involved not only members of the Centre but also other members of the Collaboration both in Birkbeck and in other institutions. A Year 1 Review of the PDP by members of the Centre suggested that its original form could be easily developed to offer a distance-learning variant of the programme. Furthermore, such a variant would not only attract those suitably qualified and experienced but also allow the development of a wider programme of stand-alone modules focused on real-world research and related interventions on particular health issues. It is likely that cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS) would be the first of such new modules. Multi-Perspective Service Provision: Bringing together different facets of the Collaboration's and Centre's formal planning, it has been decided to develop an external facing unit for service provision (advice and interventions) reflecting its professional competences and research experience. This proposed unit will be initially based in the Centre but will eventually be available through other institutions participating in the Collaboration (as appropriate). Reflecting the formally declared development of the PDP, the initial focus of the new service provision will also be cancer and multiple sclerosis.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Education,Healthcare
Impact Types Societal,Economic,Policy & public services
 
Description CPD Course on evaluation methods for public health
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact This course uses examples from the seminars for teaching to improve skills of public health workforce
 
Description MacLennan, SJ and Cox T. (2016). Cancer & Employment. Invited presentation to Scottish Government - Edinburgh, Sept 2016.
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Professional Doctorate in Occupational Health Psychology: Managing Long Term Illness at Work (Module): Birkbeck University of London
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description EU COST action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016)
Amount € 1,070 (EUR)
Organisation European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) 
Department COST Action
Sector Public
Country Belgium
Start 11/2016 
End 11/2016
 
Description NHS Grampian Endowments Award
Amount £11,548 (GBP)
Organisation NHS Grampian 
Department NHS Grampian Endowment Fund
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2015 
End 10/2016
 
Description School Research Fund
Amount £10,000 (GBP)
Organisation Birkbeck, University of London 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2018 
End 08/2019
 
Description PTSD and Working Life: Interventions Programme 
Organisation Federal University of Minas Gerais
Country Brazil 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Birkbeck team is leading and managing this collaboration and, in part, funding it through an award by Birkbeck University of London.
Collaborator Contribution The partners in this collaboration are working as part of the overall team to access existing data, analyse and report on those data, plan for future researching work towards future research funding.
Impact The collaboration began early in 2018. Progress so far largely concerns: visit to the Karolinska Institute and presentation, the two lead researchers from Minas Gerais being funded to spend six months at Birkbeck University of London as Visiting Research Fellows to help develop the work of the collaboration, and the development of the immediate iinvolvement of the Birkbeck and Aberdeen teams.
Start Year 2018
 
Description PTSD and Working Life: Interventions Programme 
Organisation Karolinska Institute
Department Institute of Environmental Medicine
Country Sweden 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Birkbeck team is leading and managing this collaboration and, in part, funding it through an award by Birkbeck University of London.
Collaborator Contribution The partners in this collaboration are working as part of the overall team to access existing data, analyse and report on those data, plan for future researching work towards future research funding.
Impact The collaboration began early in 2018. Progress so far largely concerns: visit to the Karolinska Institute and presentation, the two lead researchers from Minas Gerais being funded to spend six months at Birkbeck University of London as Visiting Research Fellows to help develop the work of the collaboration, and the development of the immediate iinvolvement of the Birkbeck and Aberdeen teams.
Start Year 2018
 
Description PTSD and Working Life: Interventions Programme 
Organisation Penn State University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Birkbeck team is leading and managing this collaboration and, in part, funding it through an award by Birkbeck University of London.
Collaborator Contribution The partners in this collaboration are working as part of the overall team to access existing data, analyse and report on those data, plan for future researching work towards future research funding.
Impact The collaboration began early in 2018. Progress so far largely concerns: visit to the Karolinska Institute and presentation, the two lead researchers from Minas Gerais being funded to spend six months at Birkbeck University of London as Visiting Research Fellows to help develop the work of the collaboration, and the development of the immediate iinvolvement of the Birkbeck and Aberdeen teams.
Start Year 2018
 
Description PTSD and Working Life: Interventions Programme 
Organisation University of Aberdeen
Department Institute of Applied Health Sciences
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Birkbeck team is leading and managing this collaboration and, in part, funding it through an award by Birkbeck University of London.
Collaborator Contribution The partners in this collaboration are working as part of the overall team to access existing data, analyse and report on those data, plan for future researching work towards future research funding.
Impact The collaboration began early in 2018. Progress so far largely concerns: visit to the Karolinska Institute and presentation, the two lead researchers from Minas Gerais being funded to spend six months at Birkbeck University of London as Visiting Research Fellows to help develop the work of the collaboration, and the development of the immediate iinvolvement of the Birkbeck and Aberdeen teams.
Start Year 2018
 
Description PTSD and Working Life: Interventions Programme 
Organisation University of Nottingham
Department Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The Birkbeck team is leading and managing this collaboration and, in part, funding it through an award by Birkbeck University of London.
Collaborator Contribution The partners in this collaboration are working as part of the overall team to access existing data, analyse and report on those data, plan for future researching work towards future research funding.
Impact The collaboration began early in 2018. Progress so far largely concerns: visit to the Karolinska Institute and presentation, the two lead researchers from Minas Gerais being funded to spend six months at Birkbeck University of London as Visiting Research Fellows to help develop the work of the collaboration, and the development of the immediate iinvolvement of the Birkbeck and Aberdeen teams.
Start Year 2018
 
Description The METIS Collaboration 
Organisation Macmillan Cancer Support
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The METIS Collaboration is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional network. Its core academic group includes Birkbeck (organisational psychology, occupational health psychology and psychosocial oncology), Aberdeen (health psychology, psychosocial oncology and health services research) and Newcastle (cancer epidemiology, health economics). It has recently expanded, partly as a result of career moves, to include Nottingham Trent University (Hassard) and also the University of Salford (Amir). Birkbeck (the Centre for Sustainable Working Life) with the universities of Aberdeen (Academic Urology Unit) and Newcastle (Institute of Health & Society) remain at the core of The METIS Collaboration. This group actively collaborated in securing ESRC funding for the Seminar series on Cancer & Employment. Previously, it worked collaboratively to apply for funding in this area of psychosocial oncology under the Joint ESRC MRC funding Call on Extending the Working Lives of Older Workers. This application failed at the final stage of consideration. In addition to collaboration on these applications, there is shared research between Aberdeen and Birkbeck variously funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and NHS Grampian among others. The Birkbeck team took the lead in both the applications referred to above and now leads on the organisation and management of the Seminar series; the College being the holder of the award. It employed a researcher in the first year or so of the project to support its management and to further develop The METIS Collaboration; Postavaru. They have now moved to Bishop Grossteste University College Lincoln.
Collaborator Contribution The METIS Collaboration has been managed and developed by Aberdeen and Birkbeck working closely together. Together, they have also managed the research projects funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and by NHS Grampian and other bodies including the ESRC.. The three academic partners have all contributed to the ESRC Seminar series and in several different ways: advising on the programme, hosting two Discussion seminars each, contributing to the Development seminars, planning the dissemination of findings and organising the spin off conference contributions. Aberdeen and Birkbeck have also been active in developing the required network while Aberdeen has taken the lead in developing the required web site working with Birkbeck. Both Macmillan Cancer Support and UNUM in the UK have supplied speakers for the ESRC Seminar series, as appropriate, and have also contributed to the Development seminars. Furthermore, Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland has funded shared research through the University of Aberdeen (see above) and has supported and participated in meetings of The METIS Collaboration in Edinburgh. Publishing has, so far, been led by Aberdeen and Birkbeck.
Impact Funding: ESRC: Seminar series award through Birkbeck University of London £29,000. Cancer & Employment: Social Science Perspectives. Cox T (Lead) MacLennan S, Hassard J, & Brown H. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland: research award through University of Aberdeen £105,000. Macmillan Cancer Support (2013 - 2015) Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life. MacLennan (Lead) & Cox T.. NHS Grampian Endowments Award (2015 - 2016) through the University of Aberdeen. £ 11,548. Understanding the hard choices made by working women with breast cancer between treatment compliance and working on: clinical vs economic survival. Improving the Role of the NHS in Grampian. MacLennan SJ. (Lead), Cox T., N'Dow, J & Heys, S.) £ 11,548 Santander Mobility Award (2015), University of Aberdeen (MacLennan). Developing the METIS Collaboration: Cancer Survivorship, Work & Working Life. MacLennan SJ. £ 750 EU COST Action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016) to MacLennan (Aberdeen). Cancer and Work Participation: Research visit to Dr Angela de Boer, Coronel Institute for Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.€1,070 Publications & Presentations: Two book chapters published along with one paper in a refereed journal (see Publications), conference presentations and organisation of seminars at major international conferences including IPOS 2016 (Dublin).
Start Year 2014
 
Description The METIS Collaboration 
Organisation Newcastle University
Department Institute of Health and Society
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The METIS Collaboration is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional network. Its core academic group includes Birkbeck (organisational psychology, occupational health psychology and psychosocial oncology), Aberdeen (health psychology, psychosocial oncology and health services research) and Newcastle (cancer epidemiology, health economics). It has recently expanded, partly as a result of career moves, to include Nottingham Trent University (Hassard) and also the University of Salford (Amir). Birkbeck (the Centre for Sustainable Working Life) with the universities of Aberdeen (Academic Urology Unit) and Newcastle (Institute of Health & Society) remain at the core of The METIS Collaboration. This group actively collaborated in securing ESRC funding for the Seminar series on Cancer & Employment. Previously, it worked collaboratively to apply for funding in this area of psychosocial oncology under the Joint ESRC MRC funding Call on Extending the Working Lives of Older Workers. This application failed at the final stage of consideration. In addition to collaboration on these applications, there is shared research between Aberdeen and Birkbeck variously funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and NHS Grampian among others. The Birkbeck team took the lead in both the applications referred to above and now leads on the organisation and management of the Seminar series; the College being the holder of the award. It employed a researcher in the first year or so of the project to support its management and to further develop The METIS Collaboration; Postavaru. They have now moved to Bishop Grossteste University College Lincoln.
Collaborator Contribution The METIS Collaboration has been managed and developed by Aberdeen and Birkbeck working closely together. Together, they have also managed the research projects funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and by NHS Grampian and other bodies including the ESRC.. The three academic partners have all contributed to the ESRC Seminar series and in several different ways: advising on the programme, hosting two Discussion seminars each, contributing to the Development seminars, planning the dissemination of findings and organising the spin off conference contributions. Aberdeen and Birkbeck have also been active in developing the required network while Aberdeen has taken the lead in developing the required web site working with Birkbeck. Both Macmillan Cancer Support and UNUM in the UK have supplied speakers for the ESRC Seminar series, as appropriate, and have also contributed to the Development seminars. Furthermore, Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland has funded shared research through the University of Aberdeen (see above) and has supported and participated in meetings of The METIS Collaboration in Edinburgh. Publishing has, so far, been led by Aberdeen and Birkbeck.
Impact Funding: ESRC: Seminar series award through Birkbeck University of London £29,000. Cancer & Employment: Social Science Perspectives. Cox T (Lead) MacLennan S, Hassard J, & Brown H. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland: research award through University of Aberdeen £105,000. Macmillan Cancer Support (2013 - 2015) Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life. MacLennan (Lead) & Cox T.. NHS Grampian Endowments Award (2015 - 2016) through the University of Aberdeen. £ 11,548. Understanding the hard choices made by working women with breast cancer between treatment compliance and working on: clinical vs economic survival. Improving the Role of the NHS in Grampian. MacLennan SJ. (Lead), Cox T., N'Dow, J & Heys, S.) £ 11,548 Santander Mobility Award (2015), University of Aberdeen (MacLennan). Developing the METIS Collaboration: Cancer Survivorship, Work & Working Life. MacLennan SJ. £ 750 EU COST Action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016) to MacLennan (Aberdeen). Cancer and Work Participation: Research visit to Dr Angela de Boer, Coronel Institute for Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.€1,070 Publications & Presentations: Two book chapters published along with one paper in a refereed journal (see Publications), conference presentations and organisation of seminars at major international conferences including IPOS 2016 (Dublin).
Start Year 2014
 
Description The METIS Collaboration 
Organisation Nottingham Trent University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The METIS Collaboration is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional network. Its core academic group includes Birkbeck (organisational psychology, occupational health psychology and psychosocial oncology), Aberdeen (health psychology, psychosocial oncology and health services research) and Newcastle (cancer epidemiology, health economics). It has recently expanded, partly as a result of career moves, to include Nottingham Trent University (Hassard) and also the University of Salford (Amir). Birkbeck (the Centre for Sustainable Working Life) with the universities of Aberdeen (Academic Urology Unit) and Newcastle (Institute of Health & Society) remain at the core of The METIS Collaboration. This group actively collaborated in securing ESRC funding for the Seminar series on Cancer & Employment. Previously, it worked collaboratively to apply for funding in this area of psychosocial oncology under the Joint ESRC MRC funding Call on Extending the Working Lives of Older Workers. This application failed at the final stage of consideration. In addition to collaboration on these applications, there is shared research between Aberdeen and Birkbeck variously funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and NHS Grampian among others. The Birkbeck team took the lead in both the applications referred to above and now leads on the organisation and management of the Seminar series; the College being the holder of the award. It employed a researcher in the first year or so of the project to support its management and to further develop The METIS Collaboration; Postavaru. They have now moved to Bishop Grossteste University College Lincoln.
Collaborator Contribution The METIS Collaboration has been managed and developed by Aberdeen and Birkbeck working closely together. Together, they have also managed the research projects funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and by NHS Grampian and other bodies including the ESRC.. The three academic partners have all contributed to the ESRC Seminar series and in several different ways: advising on the programme, hosting two Discussion seminars each, contributing to the Development seminars, planning the dissemination of findings and organising the spin off conference contributions. Aberdeen and Birkbeck have also been active in developing the required network while Aberdeen has taken the lead in developing the required web site working with Birkbeck. Both Macmillan Cancer Support and UNUM in the UK have supplied speakers for the ESRC Seminar series, as appropriate, and have also contributed to the Development seminars. Furthermore, Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland has funded shared research through the University of Aberdeen (see above) and has supported and participated in meetings of The METIS Collaboration in Edinburgh. Publishing has, so far, been led by Aberdeen and Birkbeck.
Impact Funding: ESRC: Seminar series award through Birkbeck University of London £29,000. Cancer & Employment: Social Science Perspectives. Cox T (Lead) MacLennan S, Hassard J, & Brown H. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland: research award through University of Aberdeen £105,000. Macmillan Cancer Support (2013 - 2015) Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life. MacLennan (Lead) & Cox T.. NHS Grampian Endowments Award (2015 - 2016) through the University of Aberdeen. £ 11,548. Understanding the hard choices made by working women with breast cancer between treatment compliance and working on: clinical vs economic survival. Improving the Role of the NHS in Grampian. MacLennan SJ. (Lead), Cox T., N'Dow, J & Heys, S.) £ 11,548 Santander Mobility Award (2015), University of Aberdeen (MacLennan). Developing the METIS Collaboration: Cancer Survivorship, Work & Working Life. MacLennan SJ. £ 750 EU COST Action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016) to MacLennan (Aberdeen). Cancer and Work Participation: Research visit to Dr Angela de Boer, Coronel Institute for Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.€1,070 Publications & Presentations: Two book chapters published along with one paper in a refereed journal (see Publications), conference presentations and organisation of seminars at major international conferences including IPOS 2016 (Dublin).
Start Year 2014
 
Description The METIS Collaboration 
Organisation University of Aberdeen
Department Academic Urology Unit
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The METIS Collaboration is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional network. Its core academic group includes Birkbeck (organisational psychology, occupational health psychology and psychosocial oncology), Aberdeen (health psychology, psychosocial oncology and health services research) and Newcastle (cancer epidemiology, health economics). It has recently expanded, partly as a result of career moves, to include Nottingham Trent University (Hassard) and also the University of Salford (Amir). Birkbeck (the Centre for Sustainable Working Life) with the universities of Aberdeen (Academic Urology Unit) and Newcastle (Institute of Health & Society) remain at the core of The METIS Collaboration. This group actively collaborated in securing ESRC funding for the Seminar series on Cancer & Employment. Previously, it worked collaboratively to apply for funding in this area of psychosocial oncology under the Joint ESRC MRC funding Call on Extending the Working Lives of Older Workers. This application failed at the final stage of consideration. In addition to collaboration on these applications, there is shared research between Aberdeen and Birkbeck variously funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and NHS Grampian among others. The Birkbeck team took the lead in both the applications referred to above and now leads on the organisation and management of the Seminar series; the College being the holder of the award. It employed a researcher in the first year or so of the project to support its management and to further develop The METIS Collaboration; Postavaru. They have now moved to Bishop Grossteste University College Lincoln.
Collaborator Contribution The METIS Collaboration has been managed and developed by Aberdeen and Birkbeck working closely together. Together, they have also managed the research projects funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and by NHS Grampian and other bodies including the ESRC.. The three academic partners have all contributed to the ESRC Seminar series and in several different ways: advising on the programme, hosting two Discussion seminars each, contributing to the Development seminars, planning the dissemination of findings and organising the spin off conference contributions. Aberdeen and Birkbeck have also been active in developing the required network while Aberdeen has taken the lead in developing the required web site working with Birkbeck. Both Macmillan Cancer Support and UNUM in the UK have supplied speakers for the ESRC Seminar series, as appropriate, and have also contributed to the Development seminars. Furthermore, Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland has funded shared research through the University of Aberdeen (see above) and has supported and participated in meetings of The METIS Collaboration in Edinburgh. Publishing has, so far, been led by Aberdeen and Birkbeck.
Impact Funding: ESRC: Seminar series award through Birkbeck University of London £29,000. Cancer & Employment: Social Science Perspectives. Cox T (Lead) MacLennan S, Hassard J, & Brown H. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland: research award through University of Aberdeen £105,000. Macmillan Cancer Support (2013 - 2015) Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life. MacLennan (Lead) & Cox T.. NHS Grampian Endowments Award (2015 - 2016) through the University of Aberdeen. £ 11,548. Understanding the hard choices made by working women with breast cancer between treatment compliance and working on: clinical vs economic survival. Improving the Role of the NHS in Grampian. MacLennan SJ. (Lead), Cox T., N'Dow, J & Heys, S.) £ 11,548 Santander Mobility Award (2015), University of Aberdeen (MacLennan). Developing the METIS Collaboration: Cancer Survivorship, Work & Working Life. MacLennan SJ. £ 750 EU COST Action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016) to MacLennan (Aberdeen). Cancer and Work Participation: Research visit to Dr Angela de Boer, Coronel Institute for Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.€1,070 Publications & Presentations: Two book chapters published along with one paper in a refereed journal (see Publications), conference presentations and organisation of seminars at major international conferences including IPOS 2016 (Dublin).
Start Year 2014
 
Description The METIS Collaboration 
Organisation University of Salford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The METIS Collaboration is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional network. Its core academic group includes Birkbeck (organisational psychology, occupational health psychology and psychosocial oncology), Aberdeen (health psychology, psychosocial oncology and health services research) and Newcastle (cancer epidemiology, health economics). It has recently expanded, partly as a result of career moves, to include Nottingham Trent University (Hassard) and also the University of Salford (Amir). Birkbeck (the Centre for Sustainable Working Life) with the universities of Aberdeen (Academic Urology Unit) and Newcastle (Institute of Health & Society) remain at the core of The METIS Collaboration. This group actively collaborated in securing ESRC funding for the Seminar series on Cancer & Employment. Previously, it worked collaboratively to apply for funding in this area of psychosocial oncology under the Joint ESRC MRC funding Call on Extending the Working Lives of Older Workers. This application failed at the final stage of consideration. In addition to collaboration on these applications, there is shared research between Aberdeen and Birkbeck variously funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and NHS Grampian among others. The Birkbeck team took the lead in both the applications referred to above and now leads on the organisation and management of the Seminar series; the College being the holder of the award. It employed a researcher in the first year or so of the project to support its management and to further develop The METIS Collaboration; Postavaru. They have now moved to Bishop Grossteste University College Lincoln.
Collaborator Contribution The METIS Collaboration has been managed and developed by Aberdeen and Birkbeck working closely together. Together, they have also managed the research projects funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and by NHS Grampian and other bodies including the ESRC.. The three academic partners have all contributed to the ESRC Seminar series and in several different ways: advising on the programme, hosting two Discussion seminars each, contributing to the Development seminars, planning the dissemination of findings and organising the spin off conference contributions. Aberdeen and Birkbeck have also been active in developing the required network while Aberdeen has taken the lead in developing the required web site working with Birkbeck. Both Macmillan Cancer Support and UNUM in the UK have supplied speakers for the ESRC Seminar series, as appropriate, and have also contributed to the Development seminars. Furthermore, Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland has funded shared research through the University of Aberdeen (see above) and has supported and participated in meetings of The METIS Collaboration in Edinburgh. Publishing has, so far, been led by Aberdeen and Birkbeck.
Impact Funding: ESRC: Seminar series award through Birkbeck University of London £29,000. Cancer & Employment: Social Science Perspectives. Cox T (Lead) MacLennan S, Hassard J, & Brown H. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland: research award through University of Aberdeen £105,000. Macmillan Cancer Support (2013 - 2015) Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life. MacLennan (Lead) & Cox T.. NHS Grampian Endowments Award (2015 - 2016) through the University of Aberdeen. £ 11,548. Understanding the hard choices made by working women with breast cancer between treatment compliance and working on: clinical vs economic survival. Improving the Role of the NHS in Grampian. MacLennan SJ. (Lead), Cox T., N'Dow, J & Heys, S.) £ 11,548 Santander Mobility Award (2015), University of Aberdeen (MacLennan). Developing the METIS Collaboration: Cancer Survivorship, Work & Working Life. MacLennan SJ. £ 750 EU COST Action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016) to MacLennan (Aberdeen). Cancer and Work Participation: Research visit to Dr Angela de Boer, Coronel Institute for Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.€1,070 Publications & Presentations: Two book chapters published along with one paper in a refereed journal (see Publications), conference presentations and organisation of seminars at major international conferences including IPOS 2016 (Dublin).
Start Year 2014
 
Description The METIS Collaboration 
Organisation Unum in the UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The METIS Collaboration is a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional network. Its core academic group includes Birkbeck (organisational psychology, occupational health psychology and psychosocial oncology), Aberdeen (health psychology, psychosocial oncology and health services research) and Newcastle (cancer epidemiology, health economics). It has recently expanded, partly as a result of career moves, to include Nottingham Trent University (Hassard) and also the University of Salford (Amir). Birkbeck (the Centre for Sustainable Working Life) with the universities of Aberdeen (Academic Urology Unit) and Newcastle (Institute of Health & Society) remain at the core of The METIS Collaboration. This group actively collaborated in securing ESRC funding for the Seminar series on Cancer & Employment. Previously, it worked collaboratively to apply for funding in this area of psychosocial oncology under the Joint ESRC MRC funding Call on Extending the Working Lives of Older Workers. This application failed at the final stage of consideration. In addition to collaboration on these applications, there is shared research between Aberdeen and Birkbeck variously funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and NHS Grampian among others. The Birkbeck team took the lead in both the applications referred to above and now leads on the organisation and management of the Seminar series; the College being the holder of the award. It employed a researcher in the first year or so of the project to support its management and to further develop The METIS Collaboration; Postavaru. They have now moved to Bishop Grossteste University College Lincoln.
Collaborator Contribution The METIS Collaboration has been managed and developed by Aberdeen and Birkbeck working closely together. Together, they have also managed the research projects funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland and by NHS Grampian and other bodies including the ESRC.. The three academic partners have all contributed to the ESRC Seminar series and in several different ways: advising on the programme, hosting two Discussion seminars each, contributing to the Development seminars, planning the dissemination of findings and organising the spin off conference contributions. Aberdeen and Birkbeck have also been active in developing the required network while Aberdeen has taken the lead in developing the required web site working with Birkbeck. Both Macmillan Cancer Support and UNUM in the UK have supplied speakers for the ESRC Seminar series, as appropriate, and have also contributed to the Development seminars. Furthermore, Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland has funded shared research through the University of Aberdeen (see above) and has supported and participated in meetings of The METIS Collaboration in Edinburgh. Publishing has, so far, been led by Aberdeen and Birkbeck.
Impact Funding: ESRC: Seminar series award through Birkbeck University of London £29,000. Cancer & Employment: Social Science Perspectives. Cox T (Lead) MacLennan S, Hassard J, & Brown H. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland: research award through University of Aberdeen £105,000. Macmillan Cancer Support (2013 - 2015) Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life. MacLennan (Lead) & Cox T.. NHS Grampian Endowments Award (2015 - 2016) through the University of Aberdeen. £ 11,548. Understanding the hard choices made by working women with breast cancer between treatment compliance and working on: clinical vs economic survival. Improving the Role of the NHS in Grampian. MacLennan SJ. (Lead), Cox T., N'Dow, J & Heys, S.) £ 11,548 Santander Mobility Award (2015), University of Aberdeen (MacLennan). Developing the METIS Collaboration: Cancer Survivorship, Work & Working Life. MacLennan SJ. £ 750 EU COST Action STSM-IS1211-35195 (2016) to MacLennan (Aberdeen). Cancer and Work Participation: Research visit to Dr Angela de Boer, Coronel Institute for Occupational Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.€1,070 Publications & Presentations: Two book chapters published along with one paper in a refereed journal (see Publications), conference presentations and organisation of seminars at major international conferences including IPOS 2016 (Dublin).
Start Year 2014
 
Title Information and advice system on work engagement for those with urological cancers in NE Scotland 
Description The proposed system focuses on the provision of evidence-based advice and support for those involved in issues relating to cancer survivorship and work engagement. The research and development work was conducted in NE Scotland with those employed or of working age diagnosed with urological cancer. It seeks to provide evidence-based information, supporting understanding and advice giving, and related learning. It is intended not only for patients (and their friends and families) but also for the professionals involved in their health and social care and for employers. It will provide a local network map of those qualified and/or appropriate as providers of information, advice, care and support. However, it will also provide a vehicle for the development of a Community of Expertise to share information and learning. Finally, it will allow a potentially transportable record of involvement for all those who are involved. The design concept has been subject to feasibility testing with focus groups representing those with cancer, their health and care professionals and their (potential) employers. 
Type Health and Social Care Services
Current Stage Of Development Refinement. Non-clinical
Year Development Stage Completed 2016
Development Status Actively seeking support
Impact The development process was funded by Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland. Further support is being sought at present to allow a regional trial. However, the process and initial design has attracted interest from various bodies including the Health Team, Scottish Government. 
 
Title Development: Research & Practice Website: Cancer & Employment 
Description Development of a new website focused on social science and related issues arising in the area of cancer and employment focused on applied research and practice: flagging, describing and commenting and sharing. 
Type Of Technology Webtool/Application 
Year Produced 2020 
Impact The Metis website, developed for the collaboration by Rob&Paul Digital Design (Galway), reached its final stage in the design process in 2020. With only the text needed to populate its initial pages being finalised, the website should be launched later in the year. The website will serve as a platform for collaborations among the network built during the Seminar Series but will also serve to inform, encourage and support those who are concerned for the issues framing research, practice and policy in relation to cancer and employment. 
 
Description Advice to Scottish Government: Health Matters 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Scottish Government Health Matters: Long Term Conditions: Input to Planning Process and discussion of The METIS Collaboration research and ESRC Seminar Series Programme: Edinburgh 2014 ~ Developing recommendations for a Patient Advice & Information Service.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Inivted presentation to workshop on Cancer and Employment in Paris 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited to give a presentation in Paris at a workshop on Cancer and Labour Market Outcomes organised by the Centre d'études de l'emploi (CEE), the Institut de recherche et documentation en économie de la santé (Irdes) and the Équipe de recherche sur l'utilisation des données individuelles en lien avec la théorie économique (Érudite - Université Paris-Est) stemming from a contact made at the Newcastle Workshop in July 2015.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Seminar organisation at IPOS Annual Conference 2016 (Dublin): 234 Cancer survivorship: getting it right for quality of life and work engagement 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The IPOS seminar involved speakers from The METIS Collaboration (Cox, MacLennan and Sharp) and from Australia (Butow) presenting on their research and related interventions in relation to cancer survivorship and employment describing the current situation and identifying possible future needs and developments. The audienc4, about 50 participants, was multi-disciplinary and multi-professional and also international. The final Discussion session lasted well beyond the scheduled time. The Lead in organising the seminar was taken by Aberdeen (MacLennan).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Workshop Discission at BPOS Conference 20: Workshop 1: Living with and beyond cancer: getting it right for quality of life and work engagement 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The Workshop participation was led by ( Aberdeen (MacLennan) included a poster by The METIS team (led by Murdoch) focused on the assertion that "Throughout the cancer patient's journey, there ought to be a discussion about work': GP provision of work-related advice to cancer patients in Scotland". This sparked a lively and informative discussion among participants and provided a platform for describing some of the research done by The METIS Collaboration and its(potential) practical impact..A supporting paper is subsequently to be published in Psycho-Oncology:
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016