Fliss qualified in medicine in the UK. She worked at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London from 2002 to 2017, where she completed her PhD, became Clinical Senior Lecturer, and then Reader in Palliative Medicine. She is now a Professor of Palliative Care and Director of the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre at University of Hull, as well as Visiting Professor of Palliative Care at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London.