Next Coda seminar: tackling rural and coastal cancer inequalities
17 August 2026
Our next Coda seminar will take place on 15 Sept at 12pm and will hear from Dr David Nelson (University of Lincoln), who will give an overview of PLACE, his project that developed a network to tackle rural and coastal cancer inequalities.
The place in which we live is increasingly recognised as a determinant of cancer outcomes. People living in rural and coastal communities often face distinct challenges relating to cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Despite growing evidence of geographical inequalities in cancer outcomes, no coordinated multi-nation research network currently exists to advance understanding and action across the UK and Ireland.
The Place-based Action for Cancer Equity (PLACE) Research Network seeks to address this. It was established through stakeholder engagement, partnership building and community involvement across academia, healthcare, policy and third-sector organisations. The network seeks to connect existing and emerging research programmes, strengthen collaboration, and ensure future research reflects the needs and experiences of rural and coastal communities.
Progress to Date
PLACE has provided a novel platform for coordinating research, policy engagement and community involvement to address rural and coastal cancer inequalities and support more equitable cancer outcomes across the UK and Ireland.
Since its launch in April 2026, PLACE has hosted studies examining the impact of distance and deprivation on lung cancer outcomes; participation in cancer screening programmes across rural, urban and coastal communities; quality of life and psychosocial outcomes following cancer; stage at diagnosis and survival; demographic ageing and future cancer incidence; and UK and international cancer policy analyses.
Community engagement workshops and a UK and Ireland-wide rural and coastal cancer research priority-setting exercise are underway. A core multi-nation leadership group has been established to guide the network, alongside a wider open membership network. The first formal meeting of the core group will take place in autumn 2026.
David Nelson
Dr David Nelson is a Senior Research Associate and Cancer Inequalities Researcher within the UKRI E3 funded Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH) at the University of Lincoln. He is Chair and Founder of the Place-based Action for Cancer Equity (PLACE) multi-nation research network, leading national and international research on how rural, remote and coastal residence influences cancer policy, care, patient experiences and outcomes.
To join the webinar
The webinar is free and open to all. Members of the Coda Network already have a link to it, but we would welcome others with an interest in the issues raised to join us. If you want to do so, drop us a line at info@easternarc.ac.uk