Privacy Statements

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 2025 

We are committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who interact with our research activities, including research participants, clients, collaborators, website visitors, and employees. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share personal information, and outlines your rights regarding your data. We are committed to complying with all relevant UK data protection laws, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on the nature of your interaction with us. This may include:

• Personal Information: This may include your name, contact information (email address, phone number, postal address), demographic information (age, gender, location), professional information (job title, affiliation), and any other information you provide to us. The specific personal information we collect will depend on the research project or service you are involved in.

• Sensitive Information: In some cases, we may collect sensitive information, such as health information, racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We will only collect sensitive information with your explicit consent and will handle it with extra care, using appropriate safeguards.

• Usage Information: When you visit our website or interact with our online platforms, we may collect information about your usage, such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, referring website, and time spent on our site.

• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We may use cookies and similar technologies (e.g., web beacons, pixels) to collect information about your online activity and personalize your experience. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information for the following purposes:

• Improve User Experience: To personalise your experience on our website and to better understand your needs.

• Fulfil Orders: To process your purchases and deliver products or services to you.

• Communicate with You: To respond to your enquiries, send you information you've requested (like newsletters), and provide updates about our work.

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information with the following parties:

• Research Partners and Collaborators: We may share your information with collaborators, sponsors, or other organizations involved in the research project. We will ensure that these partners are also committed to protecting your privacy and have appropriate data sharing agreements in place.

• Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us with data processing, analysis, IT services, or other services. We will have contracts in place with these providers to ensure the confidentiality and security of your information.

• Legal Authorities: We may disclose your information to legal authorities if required by law or legal process, or to protect our legal rights.

4. Data Security and Retention

We take reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include access controls, secure storage, and staff training. We will retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law or ethical guidelines.

5. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have specific rights regarding your personal data. You have the right to:

• Request a copy of your data: You can ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

• Ask for corrections: You can ask us to correct information you think is inaccurate or to complete information you think is incomplete.

• Request data erasure: You can ask us to delete your personal information in certain circumstances.

• Object to processing: You can object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

• Lodge a complaint: If you are unhappy with how we have used your data, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@sea-epp.org. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

6. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under this age. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

7. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date." We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your data.