Diabetes research can’t happen without the help of people living with diabetes

Scientists need your help to prevent diabetes, find new treatments, improve care, and ultimately, find a cure.

Whether it's trying a new treatment, or filling out a questionnaire, research breakthroughs can only happen with your support.  

We've answered some common questions about taking part in diabetes research - including who can get involved, the types of studies available, and what the benefits and potential risks are.

Take a look at opportunities for getting involved here. Some you can take part in from home, while others will involve visiting a research clinic. If something catches your eye, get in touch with the study team to find out more. Without you, research can't move forward. 

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Understanding how people build healthy eating habits

Subtitle:
From Screen to Self: Evaluating a Digital Perspective Taking Tool for Health Behaviour.
Institution:
City St George's, University of London
Location:
Online
Tags:
Connect with researchers
Dates:
September 2025
August 2026

Researchers at City St Georges, University of London are inviting participants to take part in a research study exploring how people build healthy habits using an innovative psychological tool.
We are looking for people:

  • aged 18 years or older;
  • who can communicate in English;
  • with a BMI above 25;
  • who are trying to manage their weight or diet.

Participation involves a short online meeting, watching short videos, completing reflection exercises, and filling in questionnaires over 4 weeks.

Developing tailored mental health care for young people with type 2

Subtitle:
Psychological professionals’ experiences of working with young people with early onset type 2 diabetes (EO-T2D) in England.
Institution:
University of East London
Location:
Online
Tags:
Questionnaire Interview
Dates:
July 2025
March 2026

Researchers at University of East London (UEL) would like to recruit psychological professionals (qualified or in training) with experience of working with young people (aged 16 to 25) living with type 2 diabetes to take part in a study that is exploring clinicians’ views, perspectives and experiences on their clinical work. 

They hope that the findings could contribute to the development of tailored psychological care for young people with type 2 diabetes and to spark interest in this under-researched area. 

Shaping how clinicians communicate to people with diabetes about food

Subtitle:
Lived experiences of communicating about diabetes and disordered eating: innovating diabetes service guidelines
Institution:
University of Warwick
Location:
Online
Tags:
Workshop
Dates:
December 2025
January 2026

Have you been diagnosed with diabetes? Would you like to help shape how diabetes clinicians communicate with people about food and eating?

A study is being conducted by a team of researchers at Warwick Medical School, the University of Birmingham, and Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. The purpose of this study is to better understand people’s experiences of communicating with diabetes clinicians about food, weight, and disordered eating, and to co-produce communication guidelines for clinicians.

Improving care after bariatric surgery for people from ethnic minority backgrounds

Subtitle:
Experiences of Bariatric Surgery Amongst the Global Majority
Institution:
University of Hull
Location:
Online or in-person
Tags:
Interview
Dates:
September 2025
May 2026

Researchers at the University of Hull would like to recruit people from an ethnic minority background who have had NHS bariatric surgery to take part in a study that aims to understand experiences of NHS care during and post-bariatric surgery. This will help close a gap in research and aim to improve the experiences of care received by people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Tracking Treg cell changes in type 1 diabetes

Subtitle:
Treg-sparing co-stimulation blockade: testing a novel method for monitoring an immunosuppression strategy in people with Type 1 diabetes.
Institution:
University College London
Location:
London, Cardiff
Tags:
Clinical trial
Dates:
September 2025
November 2026

Researchers at University College London are looking for people aged 18-50 who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the last five years to take part in a study of the immune system responsible for destruction of insulin-producing cells. They hope that this will help develop future treatments for type 1 diabetes.

The study will include administration of drugs (via small tube inserted in the vein and under the skin) and giving blood and lymph node samples (via a small needle similar to the one used for standard blood tests).

Studies for children and young people with diabetes

Subtitle:
Studies for children and young people with diabetes
Institution:
British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes
Location:
UK-wide
Tags:
Clinical trial Connect with researchers Questionnaire Interview

 

It’s really important that young people and families have opportunities to take part in research. A portfolio of studies currently underway and looking to recruit people across the UK can be found on the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes website.

Families interested in taking part in any of the studies can contact the relevant research teams provided within the descriptions.

Understanding medicine information needs of young people with diabetes

Subtitle:
Medicines Information Needs of Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions: A Qualitative Interview study
Institution:
University College London
Location:
Online or face to face
Tags:
Interview
Dates:
September 2025

Researchers at University College London (UCL) would like to recruit young people:

Gathering views on type 2 diabetes self-management support

Subtitle:
Self-management support for diabetes: Global exploration of patients and healthcare professionals' perspectives.
Institution:
James Cook University
Location:
Online
Tags:
Survey Interview
Dates:
March 2025

Researchers at James Cook University, Australia would like to recruit people living with type 2 diabetes and healthcare professionals (doctors, diabetes nurse-educators, general nurses, dietitians, psychologists, podiatrists and community health workers) over 18 to take part in a study.

Participants who complete the survey will receive a £5 coffee voucher and all interview participants will receive a £10 Amazon online gift voucher.

Can pre-meal protein drinks improve blood sugar levels in type 2?

Subtitle:
GLycaemic Outcomes with Whey protein in ageING (GLOWING)
Institution:
University of Birmingham
Location:
In-person
Tags:
Connect with researchers Clinical trial
Dates:
January 2026
August 2026

Researchers at the University of Birmingham are recruiting people aged 75-90 years old and living with type 2 diabetes to see if pre-meal protein drinks can improve blood sugar levels.

Following a screening visit at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, you will be provided with two supplements to take before your own meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at home over two 7-day periods.

Capturing experiences of support for depression and type 2

Subtitle:
NHS Talking Therapies LTC Services for people with depression and type 2 diabetes
Institution:
University of Surrey
Location:
Online
Tags:
Survey
Dates:
October 2025
December 2026

Researchers at the University of Surrey are recruiting participants to take part in a research study exploring the experiences of individuals with type 2 diabetes and depression who have accessed support from NHS Talking Therapies for depression.

This study involves answering questions about your experiences of living with type 2 diabetes and depression, and your experiences of receiving treatment from NHS Talking Therapies. The anonymous survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

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