The project, in collaboration with an Islington primary school, allows the children to be 'co-researchers'
Date: 14 August 2026
Scientists are used to collaborating with all sorts of researchers in their work, though they are usually above primary school age.
But a pair of London Metropolitan University academics are conducting an innovative research experiment alongside several year 5 and 6 classes, with pupils aged 9-11, at Whitehall Park School in Islington.
The project is being led by Dr Eirini Meimaridou, a Reader in Molecular Mechanisms of Disease and Dr Cassandra Terry, a Reader in Protein Pathology and Co-Director of The Centre for Health and Life Sciences Research.
They are working with the children to examine why Type 2 diabetes is increasing among young people and which lifestyle choices support long-term health.
The project is part of the STEP-IN (Schools Tackling and Empowering Prevention – Investigating Diabetes) Consortium – a community-focused research initiative led by London Met under the direction of Dr Meimaridou.
“We are trying to address Type 2 diabetes in primary school, aid children, empower them to use their voices and try to solve this growing challenge,” she said.
“We're asking the children is to be the ambassadors of Type 2 diabetes prevention and awareness.”
It aims to tackle health inequalities and rising rates of Type 2 diabetes in underserved communities through education, early intervention, and public engagement.
The project uses a STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Maths) -based approach which encourages pupils to apply their learning creatively and collaboratively.
The pupils have been involved since September last year, and the academics hope to continue the project with other schools next term.
Cassandra said they wanted the pupils to be involved as “advocates” and helped develop a research title as well as deciding what the goals of the experiment would be.
“We’re getting the students to work with us as co-researchers, so it’s not just telling them what to do, it’s getting them to collaborate with us.
“They've been involved at every single step – doing hands-on activities, collecting data, doing interviews, analysing the data, and disseminating their research findings.
“They have presented their work at two London Met conferences, and we’ve seen them grow in confidence over time and show how much they have learned throughout the whole process.”
The partnership with nearby Whitehall Park School demonstrates London Met’s clear commitment to community engagement within Islington.
Chartotte Johnson, a Year 6 teacher at Whitehall Park, said: “The workshops have been really successful, culminating in two community conferences where children have presented a variety of information about how they have worked with the researchers.
“Overall, the children have come away from it learning how to reduce their sugar content so that they can remain healthy and have a well-balanced lifestyle.”
The pupils presented their work at London Met as part of the Great Science Share for Schools 2026 earlier this summer, marking the sixth successive year the University has hosted the event.
Jilani Chowdhury, Deputy Mayor of Islington Council and a London Met graduate, was in attendance and praised the work of the research project.
“I asked them to do it in every school because our children need to know about sugar levels and how it impacts diabetes.
“I thank London Met for everything they do for our children, our council, and as a former student, I feel proud of myself that they are doing such a fantastic job.”
Renzo Veschini, Widening Participation Officer at London Met, said the Great Science Share is an example of London Met reaching out to the community and doing good work for schools in the local area.
“For the kids, of course, it's a celebration of their sciences which they've been doing at school, but it also gives them a chance to share that with other schools within the community.
“And in addition to that, it gives them a chance to come into a university campus and see what it's like for themselves.”
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