NIPANC is delighted to announce that its Co-founder and Executive Director, Susan McLaughlin, has been appointed Honorary Lecturer in the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast.

The prestigious appointment recognises Susan's significant contribution to pancreatic cancer research, her commitment to improving care and support for patients and families, and her instrumental role in developing the growing research partnership between NIPANC and Queen’s University Belfast.

The appointment is particularly welcome during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of collaboration between charitable organisations, healthcare professionals and academic researchers in addressing the challenges faced by people affected by pancreatic cancer.

Strengthening Pancreatic Cancer Research

The partnership between NIPANC and Queen’s University Belfast is focused on advancing understanding of the psychosocial impact of pancreatic cancer, an area of research that considers the emotional, psychological and social challenges experienced by patients and their families.

While advances in diagnosis and treatment remain essential, pancreatic cancer can also have a profound impact on mental wellbeing, family relationships and quality of life.

Through collaborative research, NIPANC and Queen’s are working to build a stronger evidence base that can help inform improvements in care, support services and the experiences of those living with the disease.

Susan has played a central role in helping to shape this partnership, bringing valuable strategic insight, practical experience and a strong commitment to ensuring that research remains closely connected to the needs of patients and families.

Her contribution has also extended to the direct supervision of five PhD students within the School of Nursing & Midwifery, supporting the development of emerging researchers and helping to strengthen academic expertise in this important field.

Recognition from Queen’s University Belfast

Welcoming Susan's appointment, Professor Gary Mitchell MBE, School of Nursing & Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Susan McLaughlin as an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast.

“Susan has been instrumental in helping shape our growing QUB-NIPANC research partnership, which seeks to better understand the psychosocial impact of pancreatic cancer and improve care and support for patients and their families.

“Her contribution to the direct supervision of five PhD students within our School has been invaluable, bringing strategic insight, expertise and a genuine commitment to developing the next generation of researchers.

“This appointment is a fitting recognition of Susan’s contribution to our academic community and our shared ambition to advance psychosocial care in pancreatic cancer. We are incredibly excited about what we can continue to achieve together and look forward to strengthening this important partnership.”

NIPANC Chair Ivan McMinn MBE said:

“On behalf of everyone at NIPANC, I want to congratulate Susan on this thoroughly deserved appointment. As a Co-founder of our charity and now our Executive Director, Susan has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of people affected by pancreatic cancer.

“Her passion, knowledge and determination have been instrumental in building our partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and ensuring that the experiences of patients and families remain at the heart of this important research.

“We are immensely proud of Susan. This appointment is a wonderful recognition of her personal contribution and of the increasingly important role NIPANC is playing in advancing pancreatic cancer research and support in Northern Ireland.”

Building on a Shared Commitment

As a Co-founder and Executive Director of NIPANC, Susan has been closely involved in the charity's work to improve awareness of pancreatic cancer, support patients and families, and encourage research that can make a meaningful difference.

Her appointment as Honorary Lecturer represents an important recognition of the contribution that the voluntary and community sector can make to academic research, particularly in ensuring that the experiences and needs of patients and families help shape research priorities.

It also reflects the strength of the relationship between NIPANC and Queen’s University Belfast and the shared ambition to improve understanding of pancreatic cancer beyond its clinical and medical challenges.

The partnership provides opportunities to connect academic expertise with practical knowledge of the difficulties faced by people affected by the disease, helping to ensure that research findings can contribute to meaningful improvements in care and support.

Everyone at NIPANC warmly congratulates Susan on this richly deserved appointment and looks forward to the continued development of this important research partnership.

Congratulations, Susan!