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

You can play a vital role by taking part in a research study or trial.

Scientists need your help to prevent diabetes, find new treatments, improve care, and ultimately, stop diabetes in its tracks.

But before new treatments can benefit people living with diabetes, they must be carefully tested to work out if they're safe, what the side effects are and whether they're better than treatments we already have. By volunteering to take part, you could play a crucial part in the fight for a world where diabetes can do no harm.

You can get involved in research at any time, but did you know many clinical trials testing new treatments to stop Type 1 diabetes in its tracks can only recruit people within the first six months of their diagnosis?

  • ADDRESS-2 is meeting the challenge and recruiting people with Type 1 diabetes to clinical trials pioneering new immunotherapies to slow or stop Type 1 in its tracks.
  • The Type 1 diabetes Immunotherapy Consortium (T1D UK) brings together researchers from across the UK to run trials that develop and test new immunotherapies.
  • TrialNet is an international network of leading academic institutions, scientists and healthcare teams dedicated to the prevention of Type 1 diabetes, by working with both people living with Type 1 diabetes and their families.

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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Your experience with eye care and health services

Subtitle:
Exploring children and adult experiences of genetic eye diseases
Institution:
University College London
Location:
UK wide
Tags:
Questionnaire
Dates:
September 2024
December 2024

Researchers at University College London would like to recruit people over the age of 18 living with diabetic eye condition to participate in a study about their experiences with eye care and health services. The aim is to better understand their needs and preferences, as well as identify inequalities. And this research hopes to contribute to improving healthcare services and outcomes for those affected.

Testing new treatment for foot pain

Subtitle:
A Multimodal Manual Therapy-Based Intervention for People with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: Feasibility of a Randomised Controlled Trial
Institution:
University College of Osteopathy
Location:
London
Tags:
Clinical trial
Dates:
April 2024
October 2024

Researchers at the University College of Osteopathy in London would like to recruit people aged over 18 living with any type of diabetes, and experiencing nerve pain in feet, to take part in a study that is testing a new medication-free treatment. This new intervention, NeuOst, will include hands-on therapy, exercises, and pain management techniques.

Do you find healthcare difficult to access or understand?

Subtitle:
Primary care interventions for those with multiple long-term health conditions. Is health literacy being taken into account? An interview study
Institution:
Keele University
Location:
UK wide
Tags:
Interview
Dates:
July 2024
August 2024

Researchers at Keele University would like to recruit people aged 18 and above, who are living with two or more long-term health conditions, including diabetes, to take part in a study that helps them understand your experience better. They would like to know how the healthcare you get to help manage your health can be improved, and if you find healthcare difficult to access or understand. 

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. 

Testing smart devices to prevent diabetic foot ulcers

Subtitle:
REAL PRETECTION - Preventing diabetic foot ulcers using real-time foot pressure monitoring and alert technologies
Institution:
Manchester Metropolitan University, Keele University and Lancaster University
Location:
Leeds, Manchester, Keele, Lancaster
Tags:
Clinical trial
Dates:
January 2025
February 2026

Researchers from Lancaster and Keele Universities are now recruiting people aged 18 and over with any type of diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain in the feet and hands caused by diabetes) to participate in a research study.

Examining links between perceptions of diabetes management and mental wellbeing in people living with type 1

Subtitle:
Self-Efficacy and Resilience as a Predictor of Psychological Well-Being in Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
Institution:
Oxford Brookes University
Location:
Online
Tags:
Survey
Dates:
December 2024
February 2025

Researchers at Oxford Brookes University would like to recruit people aged 18-25 , with type 1 diabetes, and who live in the UK to take part in a study that is examining links between people’s perceptions of how they manage their diabetes (their self-efficacy), resilience and mental wellbeing.

Developing pain management strategies

Subtitle:
Individualised Investigation of an Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain
Institution:
Middlesex University
Location:
Online
Tags:
Questionnaire Interview
Dates:
February 2025
May 2025

Researchers at Middlesex University are looking for individuals aged 18 and older to take part in a study on pain management, including pain related to diabetes.

Developing support for people living with early-stage diabetes kidney damage

Subtitle:
Identifying inclusive education and information interventions for all people managing early-stage chronic kidney disease
Institution:
University of Salford
Location:
Online
Tags:
Survey
Dates:
April 2025
May 2025

Researchers at the University of Salford would like to recruit adults with diabetes (any type but particularly people living with diabetes-related kidney damage (Diabetic Kidney Disease)) to take part in a study.

The aim of the study is to help people with early-stage chronic kidney disease (before kidney failure) and their families get better information and education.  

The team want to learn what information and educational interventions people have received. Taking part will involve completing a single survey that consists of 27 questions.

Deciphering the links between diabetic foot ulcers, physical activity & heart health

Subtitle:
A mixed methods evaluation of diabetic foot ulceration, physical activity, and cardiovascular health.
Institution:
University of Southampton
Location:
Online
Tags:
Survey
Dates:
April 2025
June 2025

Researchers at the University of Southampton are inviting adults who have experienced diabetic foot ulcers to participate in a short anonymous survey which should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.  

Evidence shows that there is a strong relationship between physical activity levels and cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) health, but it is unclear how diabetic foot ulcers affects this.  

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