Research news: Did you know?

Researchers at the University of Westminster ask the questions that expand beyond existing boundaries. They are pioneers of impact-driven, world-leading research, which furthers our University’s mission to enable people from every background to reach their full potential. Here are five of the discoveries they made this year.

MENUS NEED TO BE AT LEAST 75 PER CENT VEGETARIAN FOR MEAT EATERS TO CHOOSE PLANT- BASED FOOD

Researchers from the University of Westminster have found that meat eaters are significantly more likely to choose vegetarian meals when they make up the majority of food offered.

The study, led by Dr Beth Parkin, Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience, randomised participants to menus that contained different ratios of meat and vegetarian dishes to determine exactly how much meat availability is needed to promote sustainable choices.

People who usually ate meat shifted their choice to vegetarian food only when menus were 75 per cent vegetarian, but not when 50 per cent or 25 per cent of items were vegetarian. This suggests meat eaters can change their preferences when given enough vegetarian options to choose from, yet a large proportion of these options are needed to change fixed habits of consuming meat.

LUCKY GENES COULD HELP PROTECT PEOPLE WITH OBESITY FROM SOME DISEASES

In a study funded by Diabetes UK, researchers from the University of Westminster found that having certain genes can protect people with obesity from some lifechanging ailments.

Fat stored under the skin is considered less harmful than fat stored around the organs, and the genes we are born with determine where the fat is stored. Scientists refer to this as having ‘favourable’ or ‘unfavourable’ adiposity.

Researchers found that those with ‘unlucky’ fat genes, meaning they store higher levels of fat everywhere, including under the skin, liver and pancreas, are associated with higher risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

The team found that of the 37 diseases they tested, 12 – including coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes – were directly related to the genes that determine whether or not a person has ‘favourable adiposity’.

NEARLY HALF OF PHD

STUDENTS CONSIDER DEVELOPING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM ‘NORMAL’

A new study led by the University of Westminster shows that 42 per cent of PhD students consider developing a mental health problem a ‘normal’ part of the PhD process. Researchers also found that more than a third of doctoral researchers considered ending or taking a break from their studies due to poor mental health.

The new collaborative research, which is the biggest ever controlled study on PhD student mental health and the first of its kind based in the UK, surveyed over 3,000 PhD students nationwide. Researchers discovered that compared to working professionals, PhD students are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, and found initial evidence that PhD studies might be causative of this.

These new findings provide an evidence-based mandate for universities and funders to reflect upon practices related to doctoral researcher training and mental health.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE WINDRUSH COMPENSATION SCHEME IS TOO COMPLEX

The Windrush Justice Clinic consisting of the University of Westminster’s Legal Advice Clinic and its partners has carried out research into the unmet need for legal advice for people making claims under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

The preliminary research report, titled ‘The Windrush Compensation Scheme: Unmet Need for Legal Advice’, found an acute need for more legal advice and help for claimants during the application process.

The Windrush Justice Clinic was set up in October 2020 to support people affected by the Windrush scandal to make successful claims for compensation. The report reveals that the application process for the compensation scheme is too complex for most claimants to complete alone, and the limited support provided by the Home Office is insufficient.

PATIENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DISCUSS STIGMATISING HEALTH CONDITIONS WITH AI CHATBOTS

Researchers at the University of Westminster have found that patients are more likely to discuss highly stigmatising health conditions, such as sexually transmitted infections, with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot compared to a healthcare professional.

The researchers aimed to assess how perceived stigma and severity of various health issues are associated with the acceptability for three sources of health information and consultation: an automatic chatbot, a GP, or a combination of both.

Although healthcare professionals are perceived as the most desired sources of health information, the new research shows that chatbots may be useful for sensitive health issues in which disclosure of personal information is challenging.

Dr Tom Nadarzynski, Senior Lecturer and lead author of the study, said: “Our research finds that patients value the opinion of healthcare professionals, therefore implementation of AI in healthcare may not be suitable in all cases, especially for serious illnesses.”