We are always looking for patients and healthy volunteers who are willing to participate in our research studies and trials. Research into disease in humans can only continue with the good will of research participants. Some of our studies only require a short single appointment while others require a longer commitment. All studies that we conduct have been ethically approved – patient safety and wellbeing are always our primary considerations.
Take Part
Open studies
We are currently looking for individuals to take part in the following studies:
| Study Name | Volunteers Needed | Type of Study | Time Commitment |
| EXETER 10,000 | Anyone aged over 16 years | Observational | 1 visit of 30 – 40 minutes |
| ICCD | Anyone with diabetes aged 16 years and above | Observational | Participation can be remotely (via email or website) or at a face to face appointment. |
Become a research participant
If you would like to become a research participant, please contact us by email at crf@exeter.ac.uk or telephone 01392 408181.
How can I get involved?
We are always keen to hear from anyone who would like to participate in our research and we offer several ways to become involved.
Exeter 10,000/Peninsula Research Bank
You could volunteer to join Exeter 10,000 (EXTEND), our key research resource which acts as a gateway to further studies. It is open to anyone over the age of 16 years, either with or without health problems. It was originally set up to collect genetic, biological, clinical, and lifestyle information on at least 10,000 adult individuals in the Exeter region, with all the information and samples to be collected stored securely in the Peninsula Research Bank (PRB).
The PRB now holds samples and health information on over 11,000 individuals, many of whom are happy to hear about further research. People can be selected by researchers on the basis of the information they provided, and then be invited to take part in more detailed studies aiming to understand more about the processes involved in common diseases (such as, diabetes and ischaemic heart disease) and healthy ageing.
PRB Steering Committee
Access to PRB volunteers/samples/information is controlled and monitored by the PRB Steering Committee. Researchers apply to the committee, providing detailed information on their study, what they hope to achieve, and what they need from the PRB for this to happen. These applications are reviewed by both scientific and public (lay) members of the committee. Anyone who has signed up to EXTEND, or has donated samples/health information to the PRB at the end of other projects, has the opportunity to become a member of this PRB Steering Committee to work with researchers to ensure the quality of research supported by the NIHR Exeter CRF.
Diabetes Specific PPI group
In response to the success of our general PPI approach, we have developed our first disease-specific patient and public involvement group. This group is made up of individuals with a range of types of diabetes. Supported by Senior Exeter CRF researchers, the group shares their experiences to help researchers gain a better understanding of both the research needs and patient issues associated with diabetes research. Their input and feedback are helping to improve the design of studies and submit more effective funding applications.
