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

Taking part in research means that you’re helping researchers to better understand diabetes, your experiences living with it, and the experiences of your communities. You can help researchers see how their new ideas could help treat diabetes, and care for people living with it. Whether it's trying a new treatment, or filling out a questionnaire, research breakthroughs can only happen with your support.  

We'd like you to have the information you need to decide what you’d like to take part in. So, we’ve put together some guidance on what you need to know about taking part in research that we hope will help. 

Take a look at opportunities for getting involved in research below. You can take part in some opportunities 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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Help BEAT Diabetes by taking part in research

Subtitle:
Helping people with diabetes get involved in a wide range of NHS research opportunities including patient and public involvement, questionnaires, focus groups and clinical trials
Institution:
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Location:
North-west England (Greater Manchester, Cheshire & Merseyside, Lancashire & South Cumbria)
Tags:
Connect with researchers
Dates:
January 2020

People with diabetes aged 18+ can register their details with Research for the Future to receive information about local NHS diabetes research opportunities. It’s free to join and doesn’t commit you to take part in any studies. 

Discover research opportunities in North West London

Subtitle:
Discover research opportunities in North West London
Institution:
North West London
Location:
England - London
Tags:
Connect with researchers

Discover is a register of adults living in North West London who are interested in and want to find out more about health research opportunities. The register is for both healthy people and those with a medical condition. Research could relate to any condition, including diabetes, and can range from answering surveys to having your blood tested, to testing new medical devices or phone apps, and participating in clinical trials.

Matching people with diabetes to the right research

Subtitle:
Matching people with diabetes to the right research
Institution:
British Research Panel
Location:
UK-wide
Tags:
Connect with researchers

Researchers across the country are looking for people living with diabetes to take part in their research. Meanwhile, people with diabetes are also looking for projects to take part in, but it can be difficult to find a match. That’s where the British Research Panel comes in: matching scientists to people with diabetes. It’s free to join and doesn’t commit you to take part in any studies. They’ll let you know when a relevant clinical trial is happening close to where you live.

How do young people newly diagnosed with type 1 feel about potential treatments?

Subtitle:
Establishing the potential acceptability of treatments to preserve beta cell function in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
Institution:
University of Birmingham
Location:
Online
Tags:
Workshop
Dates:
April 2026
August 2026

Researchers at the University of Birmingham would like to recruit people aged 16 and over, or parents/guardians of children under 16, who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the last 2 years. This is to take part in a study that aims to help us learn more about people's views on potential treatments for those with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, and how acceptable these might be.

Does beetroot juice affect heart health in people with type 2?

Subtitle:
Effect of beetroot juice on cardiovascular and autonomic responses during and after exercise in adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Institution:
Oxford Brookes University
Location:
Online and in-person
Tags:
Connect with researchers Clinical trial
Dates:
May 2026
July 2026

Researchers at Oxford Brookes University would like to recruit people aged 40-65 with type 2 diabetes to take part in a study investigating whether beetroot juice can improve cardiovascular responses and recovery after exercise.

Participants will complete one short online screening appointment and two laboratory visits. 

During each visit, participants will consume either beetroot juice or a placebo drink, perform a light cycling exercise, and undergo measurements including heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and saliva testing.

How digital technologies support people with type 2 and depression

Subtitle:
Research Project: Use of digital technologies by people living with Type 2 Diabetes and depression/anxiety
Institution:
University of Sheffield
Location:
Online or In-person
Tags:
Interview
Dates:
June 2025
September 2025

Researchers at the University of Sheffield would like to interview adults in the UK (aged 18 or over) who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and also experience anxiety and/or depression. The study aims to find out how people living with type 2 diabetes and depression/anxiety in the UK use digital technologies to support their health and the management of their conditions. We are also interested in the experiences of people who have not used digital technologies for this.

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