Prof. Alison Birtle is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Honorary Clinical Professor in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health at the University of Manchester and Honorary Clinical Professor at The University of Central Lancashire, specialising in the treatment of urological cancers. She is advisor to Macmillan on patient information for prostate, bladder and testicular tumours, Trustee and medical advisor to Fight Bladder Cancer and Secretary to the British Uro-oncology Group. She has been Chair of the NIHR Bladder/renal Research Group, member of ESMO Educational Faculty, and in 2022 joined the EAU Guidelines Group on UTUC and NMIBC.

She has published widely and lectures nationally and internationally. Prof. Birtle has been Clinical Research Lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Research Network,  Speciality Group Lead for Cancer Research for North West Coast Clinical Research Network. and Group Lead for Cancer, Surgery, Oral/Dental, and haematology for North West Coast CRN.

Prof. Birtle has been Principal Investigator and Chief Investigator on numerous urological clinical trials notable Chief Investigator on the practice changing POUT trial. In 2018, she was awarded one of the national 70 stars of the NHS award by NHS England and the NHS Confederations and has won numerous prestigious awards including Researcher of the year North West Coast Health & Innovation Awards. She is a passionate advocate of clinical equipoise in studies and the mantra of " a trial for every patient". She combines work with an enthusiasm for singing and performing musical theatre and love of rugby , cricket and Preston North End Football team.