Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute is pleased to welcome Professor Sandie McCarthy as its incoming Director and Dean of Research.
Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Institute as it continues to advance innovative, policy‑relevant research that addresses the complex challenges shaping health and care locally, nationally, and globally.
Through her leadership, the Caring Futures Institute will continue to strengthen its collaborative, values‑driven approach, supporting researchers, partners, and communities to co‑design solutions that respond to real‑world needs.
Professor McCarthy is an internationally respected clinician‑researcher whose work spans cancer treatment, recovery, and supportive care across Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. She brings extensive leadership experience and a research program deeply aligned with the Caring Futures Institute – to improve wellbeing, equity, and outcomes across the life course.
Her highly regarded research program focuses on the prevention, assessment, and management of the short‑ and long‑term toxicities of cancer therapy, particularly chemotherapy. Professor McCarthy leads multimodal, consumer‑driven intervention research, examining the combined impact of nourishment, movement, sleep, and distress management on cancer recovery and long‑term outcomes. These interventions, developed collaboratively with consumers and clinical partners, are now successfully translating into practice, improving quality of life and outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.
Professor McCarthy’s current funded research spans two complementary streams. The first examines long‑term outcomes of cancer treatments, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand patient experience and recovery trajectories. The second stream focuses on collaborative interventions to assess and manage acute treatment toxicities, strengthening supportive care during active cancer treatment.
Professor McCarthy completed her PhD at the Queensland University of Technology in 2005, titled ‘A rebellious distemper: a Foucauldian history of breast cancer to 1900’, and continues to maintain a strong interest in the sociological as well as clinical dimensions of cancer care. Following her doctorate, she moved to the University of Auckland, where she rose to the rank of full professor and was appointed Head of the School of Nursing in 2017.
In her new role as Director, Professor McCarthy will lead the Caring Futures Institute’s strategic vision, strengthening interdisciplinary research, consumer partnership, and collaborative practice to address complex challenges in health, care, and wellbeing.
“I am honoured to be joining the Caring Futures Institute,” Professor McCarthy said. “The Institute’s commitment to collaborative, impact‑focused research strongly aligns with my own values. I look forward to working with colleagues, partners, and communities to advance caring systems that genuinely improve people’s lives.”
Professor Tracy Humphrey, Vice President and Executive Dean, said Professor McCarthy’s appointment reflects the Institute’s focus on leadership that bridges research excellence and real‑world impact.
“Professor McCarthy’s depth of experience, consumer‑focused approach, and international leadership will be invaluable as the Institute continues to grow its influence and impact.”
The Institute also acknowledges and thanks Professor Frances Lin, immediate past Director and Dean Research, for her leadership and contributions.
The Caring Futures Institute warmly welcomes Professor McCarthy and looks forward to the leadership, insight, and collaboration she will bring to the role.