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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Capturing experiences of type 1 diabetes at university

Subtitle:
Understanding the social, psychological, and behavioural aspects of living with Type 1 diabetes at university
Institution:
University of Essex
Location:
Online
Tags:
Survey Interview
Dates:
May 2025
March 2026

Researchers at the University of Essex would like to recruit undergraduate university students living with type 1 diabetes between the ages of aged 18-25 years old to take part in a study that aims to understand how students live with type 1 diabetes at university over time.

In this study, you will complete 4 interviews and online surveys every 2-3 months for one year. The interviews and surveys will be held online. Interviews will ask you questions about your experience living at university and surveys will ask you specific questions about your health, behaviour, and wellbeing.

Testing the new healthcare package: MiFoot

Subtitle:
Developing and Evaluating a Multifactorial Intervention to Improve Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adults with type 2 Diabetes and Current or Previous Diabetic Foot Ulcers (MiFoot)
Institution:
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Location:
Leicester
Tags:
Clinical trial
Dates:
November 2023

Researchers at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust would like to recruit people aged 18 and over, living with type 2 diabetes and have or have had diabetic foot ulcer to to take part in a study. They're testing their new healthcare package MiFoot for preventing heart attacks and strokes and early death.

Reducing stigma for younger women with type 2 diabetes

Subtitle:
Co-designing Multimedia Messages and Resources to Reduce Diabetes Related Stigma and Promote Healthcare Engagement in Women with Type 2 Diabetes (RESET) study
Institution:
King's College London
Location:
Online or in-person
Tags:
Workshop
Dates:
October 2025

Researchers at King’s College London would like to recruit women with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, aged 18-45 years, to take part in a study which is looking at how we can improve their experience of healthcare. The study is called the RESET study.

Our aim is to address the problem of stigma, which involves feeling judged or excluded because of diabetes. We know from our previous research that stigma affects many women with type 2 diabetes in terms of their physical and mental health and well-being, as well as their interaction with healthcare services.

Understanding how young people with type 1 manage insulin, food & activity

Subtitle:
Type 1 Insulin Dosing strategies and Eating Behaviours (T1IDES)
Institution:
University of Bristol
Location:
Online
Tags:
Interview
Dates:
January 2026
March 2026

Researchers at the NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, would like to recruit people

  •  aged 12 to 25 and;
  • diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (diagnosed for 3 months or more) 

to take part in a study to test a new survey measuring the variety of ways young people manage insulin, food, and activity.

Exploring women's experiences discussing sexual health in type 2 care

Subtitle:
Exploring how women describe discussing sexual health during type 2 diabetes care.
Institution:
University of Surrey
Location:
Online
Tags:
Interview
Dates:
March 2026
August 2026

Researchers at The University of Surrey would like to recruit women (18 years old and over) living with type 2 diabetes in the UK, to take part in a study that asks about discussing sexual health during diabetes care. 

Researchers would like to speak to any woman in this group, regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, or other background. 

How do fermented dairy products impact health in people with prediabetes?

Subtitle:
Investigating the impact of fermented dairy intake on mental, cognitive, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health in metabolic health risk factors
Institution:
University of Reading
Location:
Reading
Tags:
Clinical trial Questionnaire Connect with researchers
Dates:
March 2026
March 2027

Researchers at the University of Reading are looking for participants aged 18-65 who have either prediabetes, a history of previously treated hypertension, or high blood pressure. The study will explore how consuming fermented dairy products (like yoghurt) is linked with cognitive (thinking), mood, and health measures. 

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