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Research Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice sets out how we use your personal data and your rights regarding that information.

Why do you need my information?

Your data will be used to support the study/project you have consented to participate in. Specific details related to the study are provided within the Participant Information Sheet (or equivalent study document) which has been provided to you alongside your study consent form.

What allows you to use my information?

The University will use your data for the purposes of research. The processing undertaken by the University is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.Where the University processes data about you, which is deemed to be of a sensitive nature, that being data defined as “Special Category” data under data protection laws, its condition for processing is Substantial Public Interest.

Who will my information be shared with?

Data may be shared with research partners or service providers who are supporting the research being undertaken by the University. Information on specific data sharing will be brought to your attention in the Participant Information Sheet (or equivalent) provided to you.

Do I have to provide this information and what will happen if I don’t?

There is no obligation on you to provide information, however, it may mean that you are unable to participate in the research study. Details of how you withdraw your participation study is made known to you are the point you consent to partake in a study. For more details, please contact the study researchers/co-ordinator. Details of this will have been provided to you when you consented to partake in the study and can be found in the Participant Information Sheet (or equivalent).

How long will you keep this data for and why?

Information related to retention of your data is detailed in the Participant Information Sheet (or equivalent) provided to you.

How will my information be stored?

Information related to the storage of your data is detailed in the Participant Information Sheet (or equivalent) provided to you.

Will this information be used to take automated decisions about me?

Data processed for research purposes will not typically be used to take automated decisions about you. Should the research entail automated decision making about you this will be detailed within the Participant Information Sheet.

Will my data be transferred abroad and why?

Information related to any data transfers is detailed in the Participant Information Sheet (or equivalent) provided to you.

What rights do I have when it comes to my data?

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation, you may have the following rights with regards to your personal data:

  • The Right to subject access – you have the right to see a copy of the personal data that the University holds about you and find out what it is used for
  • The Right to rectification – you have the right to ask the University to correct or remove any inaccurate data that we hold about you
  • The Right to erasure (right to be forgotten) you have the right to ask the University to remove data that we hold about you
  • The Right to restriction – you have the right to ask for your information to be restricted (locked down) on University systems
  • The Right to data portability – you have the right to ask for your data to be transferred back to you or to a new provider at your request
  • The Right to object – you have the right to ask the University to stop using your personal data or to stop sending you marketing information, or complain about how your data is used
  • The Right to prevent automated decision making – you have the right to ask the University to stop using your data to make automated decisions about you or to stop profiling your behaviour (where applicable).

Please note that not all rights apply in all situations. To find out more about your rights under the UK GDPR, please visit the Information Commissioner’s website.

To request a copy of your data or ask questions about how it is used, contact the University Data Protection Officer.

  • Email: legal@liverpool.ac.uk
  • Post: Legal & Governance, University of Liverpool, Foundation Building, 765 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 7ZX

Who can I complain to if I am unhappy about how my data is used?

You can complain directly to the Data Protection Team by writing to the University Data Protection Officer.

  • By email: legal@liverpool.ac.uk
  • Post: Legal & Governance, University of Liverpool, Foundation Building, 765 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 7ZX

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office using the following details:

  • The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
  • Telephone: 08456 30 60 60 or 01625 54 57 45
  • Website: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

Created: May 2026