The School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Benjamin Tan as the inaugural Professor of Cancer Nursing.
Professor Tan's appointment ushers in a new era of cancer nursing research at ECU, joining a growing team of researchers in this vital area within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Professor Karen Strickland, Executive Dean of ECU's School of Nursing and Midwifery, said Professor Tan brings significant research expertise and international standing to ECU.
"Professor Tan is globally recognised for his research in integrative oncology and cancer symptom management and has been named in the prestigious Stanford/Elsevier list of the World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists," she said.
"He will also be the only Professor of Cancer Nursing in Western Australia, providing an important opportunity to build relationships across the WA cancer research and health network.
"Joining a growing team of cancer nursing researchers at ECU, Professor Tan will provide senior professorial leadership and bring a distinguished track record of building research capability and collaboration," Professor Strickland said.
"His appointment will also strengthen connections across ECU, particularly with our highly regarded Centre for Precision Health - creating opportunities to bring together cancer nursing, survivorship, precision health and implementation research as part of a broader ECU cancer research proposition."
Professor Tan said he was looking forward to building a collaborative research program focused on the priorities of patients, families and healthcare professionals.
"I am delighted to join ECU at a time when there is such a strong commitment to growing nursing research and strengthening its contribution to healthcare.
"Cancer care is becoming increasingly complex, and there is an important opportunity for nursing research to shape how we support patients and families throughout their cancer journey.
"I look forward to working with colleagues, clinicians, consumers and research partners to develop innovative, evidence-based approaches that improve patient experiences, strengthen cancer nursing practice and support people to live well during and after cancer."
Professor Benjamin Tan
Professor Tan's appointment represented a significant investment in research that makes a tangible difference to patients, families and health services, Professor Strickland said.
"Cancer nursing plays a critical role across the entire cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment through to recovery, rehabilitation and survivorship. Nurses are central to supporting patients and families through some of the most challenging experiences of their lives.
"Professor Tan brings an exceptional research track record, international connections and, importantly, a demonstrated ability to build research teams and partnerships that deliver meaningful improvements in clinical care," she said.
The appointment also reflected ECU's broader ambition to build research excellence and strengthen the contribution of nursing and midwifery research to healthcare innovation.
"ECU Nursing is now ranked 33rd globally in the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026. Appointments of this calibre are fundamental to our ambition to build a sustainable, internationally competitive research environment," Professor Strickland said.
"Ultimately, research excellence must be measured not only by academic achievement, but by the difference it makes to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve."
