Jo Waller is a Professor of Cancer Behavioural Science at Queen Mary University of London. She joined the Centre for Cancer Prevention, Screening and Early Diagnosis in September 2023 after working for four years in the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences at King’s College London, where she has kept a role as Visiting Professor. Prior to that, Prof Waller spent 20 years in the departments of Epidemiology & Public Health and Behavioural Science & Health at UCL. With a background in health psychology (MSc and PhD from UCL), she leads a team of behavioural science researchers working in the field of cancer screening and early diagnosis. 

Her team’s research aims to understand acceptability and uptake of cancer screening, including novel innovations like risk-stratification, self-sampling and the use of AI, and new technologies including the capsule sponge test for oesophageal cancer. We also have a strong focus on assessing the psychological impact of participation in screening and receiving different screening results. We use quantitative and qualitative methods. 

Prof Waller is a Deputy Director of the Cancer Prevention Trials Unit (Director: Prof Peter Sasieni), leading behavioural science activities associated with the trial portfolio.

She works closely with the NHS cancer screening programmes and she is a member of the UK National Screening Committee’s Research and Methodology Group.