Mark is also Scientific Director at DATA-CAN, the UK’s Health Data Research Hub for cancer and Chair of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, which sets a benchmark for cancer outcomes globally. He is Chair of the Lancet Oncology European Groundshot Commission, the most comprehensive analysis of cancer research in Europe ever, which is informing cancer research and policy in Europe. He recently became co-chair of European Cancer Organisation’s new Focussed Topic Network on Emergencies and Crises and co-authored a Manifesto on improving cancer care in conflict-impacted populations in the premier medical journal The Lancet
Mark is Co-Lead of the All Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) a coalition of 10 universities across the island of Ireland. He co-leads two AICRI HEA funded North South Research Programmes focusing on precision medicine and digital health. In 2021, Mark received the Irish Association for Cancer Research’s Outstanding Contribution to cancer research award, for his pioneering work on cancer research and care on the island of Ireland.
Mark has a strong commitment to patient-centred research and addressing cancer inequalities. He was architect of the European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights, launched in the European Parliament (World Cancer Day). He received the 2018 European Health Award, a prestigious award for partnerships that yield real health impact in Europe. Mark co-led the work that led to ECO’s European Code of Cancer Practice, which delineates what patients should expect from their health system. His pioneering work on Covid-19 and cancer received the Royal College of Physicians Excellence in Patient Care Award and the prestigious European Communique Award, which recognised the use of data to enhance cancer services and effect policy change. In 2022, he and his team won the prestigious HDR-UK Impact of the Year Award for providing the crucial intelligence to inform a change in policy for treating colorectal cancer in England. In November 2023, Prof Lawler received a Special Merit Award from ECO, Europe’s largest multi-professional cancer organisation, in recognition of his ground-breaking work in Covid and Cancer and his work on cancer inequalities.
Mark is Scientific lead of ECO’s European Cancer Pulse which captures data intelligence to inform mitigation of cancer inequalities. Prof Lawler was one of the leadership involved in developing and launching a radical new data-informed UK plan for cancer research and cancer care in the House of Commons, Westminster. In January 2024 he provided the crucial evidence on the need to re-establish a National Cancer Plan to the Health and Social Care Select Committee Future Cancer Inquiry in the House of Commons.