Background With roughly one in two people set to develop cancer at some point in their life, cancer research plays an important role in helping to tackle this disease. However, there are well documented, significant concerns felt by the United Kingdom (UK) cancer research community as to the effects Brexit will have on their work.

Objectives A qualitative study to explore the views of senior cancer researchers at the University of Birmingham surrounding Brexit, to evaluate the impact it will have on the work.

Methodology This study involved eight semi-structured interviews with senior cancer researchers working at the University of Birmingham. Participants were from a range of nationalities and have worked in a variety of different research specialities, including clinical trials and laboratory-based research.

Findings All the senior researchers agreed that Brexit would adversely impact their work and it was felt that the immediate consequences would greatest for those involved in pan European clinical trials. Participants’ main fears were around their ability to recruit European Union (EU) talent, derive EU funding and the implications of Brexit on regulatory alignment between the UK and EU. The latter was felt to be especially important in relation to clinical trials.

Conclusion Participants felt that the nature of the deal the UK secures with the EU following Brexit would ultimately determine the true impact Brexit would have on their work. Insights from this project’s findings suggest that policymakers must create legislation that allows EU talent to be easily recruited, gives the UK access to Horizon Europe funds and achieves regulatory alignment between the UK and EU, particularly in the field of clinical trials.