Volunteering for Research Projects
To discover the links between what we eat and our health we need to carry out studies in human volunteers. Within the HNRC, we undertake a range of studies we are building a register of individuals who are interested in taking part in nutritional studies.
If you are interested in participating in one of our studies, please contact us:
E-mail: hnrc@ncl.ac.uk
All information about volunteers is treated confidentially and is held in accordance with the Data Protection Act. All studies in humans are approved by the appropriate ethics committee. Some of our studies are carried out within the community and others within the university's state-of-the-art facilities.
To find out more about the facilities we use within the University please visit:
Current projects that require volunteers:
Research study: Lifestyle web-based interventions to enhance healthy eating in a Mediterranean style.
The Human Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Newcastle is conducting a project which involves attending just one session in which to discuss web-based intervention to adopt healthy eating in a Mediterranean style.
We need volunteers with the following characteristics:
- Aged 55-70 years
- Internet user
- Speak English
If you would like further information then please contact Mrs Danya Bushwereb: d.m.bushwereb@newcastle.ac.uk, telephone 0191 2481141, or
Dr Jose Lara: jose.lara@ncl.ac.uk
For more information please click here.
Participants will be reimbursed for their time and reasonable travel expenses.
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Volunteers needed for new study on healthier diets for individuals: Food4Me Study
We are recruiting volunteers over the age of 18 to receive free personalised dietary advice tailored specifically to individual's health status, lifestyle and genetic make-up. The study will be conducted via the internet and last for 6 months. For more information and details of how to apply please see here.
--------------------------------------------------Research Study: Estimating food portions using photographs
We are recruiting 11-17 year old volunteers to participate in a 20-30 minute interview with university researchers. This is a study to further develop methods of estimating food portion sizes using photographs of food. We would like to conduct a short interview where we would ask the participant to choose images of food portions which look most like the amount of food on the plate in front of them. They won’t be required to eat anything. Interviews will be held at Newcastle University, and can be arranged for the evening or weekend. As a thank-you for taking part they will receive a £5 Eldon Square gift voucher.
Please see the poster here for more information. If you would be happy for your child to take part, please contact Jen Delve on 0191 2227739 or email jennifer.delve@ncl.ac.uk
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Research Study: Testing the usability of a computerised 24hr recall system
Are you 16- 24 years old?
Are you interested in helping us research food intake?
HNRC are developing a web based system to help users to remember and record the foods and drinks they consumed the previous day. Volunteers are needed to help us test how easy the system is to use. You will be invited to the Culture Lab at Newcastle University to use the system to recall and record all the food and drink you consumed the previous day. The research will take no longer than 2 hours and you will be given a £10 gift voucher for your time.
Please see the poster here for more information. If you are interested in taking part please contact Emma Simpson on emma.simpson@ncl.ac.uk or 0191 2227648.
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Research Study: Effects of isometric exercise training, beet root juice on blood pressure in overweight and obese subjects
The Human Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Newcastle is conducting a one-week research project to study the effects of upper-arm exercise training and beet root juice drinking on blood pressure and arterial health. We are trying to recruit volunteers in the community using the usual recruitment strategies but if you think that you may be eligible for this study and you want to participate please contact us for further information.
If you are aged 55-70 years, you are overweight and you do not smoke and would like further information then please contact:
For further information contact the study team:
Dr Jose Lara or Mr Mario Siervo
Telephone: 0191 2481140 or 0191 2481141
Email: jose.lara@ncl.ac.uk
Email: mario.siervo@ncl.ac.uk
More information click here
Participants will be reimbursed for their time and reasonable travel expenses.
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Beta-carotene supplement study: bioavailability and bioconversion to vitamin A in female volunteers.
Aims of research:
Our research group has identified that a common genetic variation in the key enzyme responsible for vitamin A formation occurs in almost half of the UK population, indicating that some individuals may be lacking an important source of vitamin A. This project will evaluate if taking beta-carotene supplements can overcome the observed low conversion in individuals affected by the genetic variation using 3 different beta-carotene supplements.
Volunteer criteria:
- Female.
- 18 – 45 years of age.
- Caucasian.
- Non-smoking.
- Generally fit and healthy.
Supplementation periods:
8 or 16 weeks depending on volunteer commitment.
Volunteer payments:
£150 for 8 weeks or £300 for 16 weeks.
What is involved?
Prior to starting the study, volunteers are required to complete a “Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire”, sign the study consent form, and attend a general health check at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI). If the health criteria are fulfilled, volunteers will begin taking a beta-carotene supplement capsule daily for a period of 8 or 16 weeks. During the supplementation period, volunteers will be required to attend the RVI where blood samples will be taken. The number of visits and time spent at the RVI is dependent on the supplementation period chosen. Please see the attached “Volunteer Information Sheet” for more details.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please complete the attached “Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire” and return to Dr Anthony Oxley at anthony.oxley@ncl.ac.uk
