Professor Stuart-Harris was born and educated in the UK. He went to Medical School in London in 1969 and graduated in 1974. In 1979 Professor Stuart-Harris went into higher medical training in Medical Oncology and completed Medical Oncology training in 1983. In 1984, he migrated to Sydney to a temporary position of Consultant Medical Oncologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Ludwig Institute.

In November 1985 he returned to London, but migrated to Australia on a permanent basis in 1987 after accepting a position as a Medical Oncologist at Westmead Hospital. Whilst he was at Westmead Hospital, Professor Stuart-Harris also started outreach Medical Oncology clinics in both Bowral and Goulburn.

In 1993, he moved to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney where he worked in both Medical Oncology and Palliative Care. Professor Stuart-Harris was the Director of Medical Services at the Sacred Heart Hospice.

In February 1998, Professor Stuart-Harris moved to Canberra to be a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Canberra Hospital. He also had an honorary academic appointment at the ANU and was part of the Faculty of the new Medical School of the ANU.

In 2004 he was appointed Director of Cancer Services in the ACT and also Southern Local Health District, NSW, but also continued to work as a Medical Oncologist in Canberra, subspecialising in the management of breast cancer.

"I believe that my two most important achievements in the position of Director of Cancer Services were the establishment of the Cancer Centre on the Canberra Hospital campus and the appointment of a full time Professor of Cancer Research at the John Curtin School of Medical research ANU."

In 2014 Professor Stuart-Harris relinquished his position as Director of Cancer Services with the appointment of a full time Executive Director and returned to full time clinical work.

In addition to his clinical appointments, he was Secretary of the Medical Oncology Group, the special society for Medical Oncology in Australia from 1988-1994 and then Chairman of the Medical Oncology Group from 1995-1996.

"Throughout my career I was involved in medical research and the teaching of medical students. I published extensively, especially on the subject of breast cancer. I retired from clinical practice in June 30, 2019."

Outside of his career, Professor Stuart-Harris was a member of the National Advisory Council of the ABC from 1991-1994 and then the Convenor of the National Advisory Council of the ABC from 1994-1999.

Since retirement, Professor Stuart-Harris and his wife have remained in Canberra, though frequent visitors to Sydney as their three children and three grandchildren all reside in Sydney.