Within the work of the Observatory, we place a high value on studies that focus on exploring the experiences of giving and receiving care, from the perspectives of those most directly involved. We are interested in elucidating the experiences of patients and carers in ways that can impact upon policy and practice and contribute to the education of professionals. We favour the use of narrative techniques in this work and make use of a range of qualitative research methods to generate primary data and also to promote the analysis of documentary materials.

Since 2004, we have been engaged in a series of projects for Macmillan Cancer Relief that examine what can be learned from narratives written about end of life experiences - from the perspectives of patients, professionals and informal carers. The Observatory is also a partner in the newly-created Cancer Experiences Collaborative (CECo) and is the home of the Collaborative's research programme on narratives, led by Dr. Carol Thomas. We welcome enquiries from prospective postgraduate students wishing to take up studies in this area of enquiry.