Privacy for Researchers

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 27, 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC, otherwise commonly known as the General Data Protection Regulation or the GDPR, came into effect on May 25, 2018.

GDPR standardizes data protection law across all 28 EU countries, imposing new, strict rules on controlling and processing of personal information.

Why GDPR is Important for Researchers

Research data is any information that has been collected, observed, generated or created to validate original research findings, including non-digital formats. Robust research governance, ethics system and research data management (RDM) constitute effective and responsible ways of handling information in the course of research. Conducting research using these standards allows RDM to be a fundamental part of research practices. Effective data management is carried out throughout the entire life cycle of the data.

GDPR determines circumstances for collecting, using, disclosing, retaining and processing personal data. Furthermore, it establishes the rights of the individuals and the requirements for implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures (TOMs), ensuring a level of data security corresponding to the risk of the data.

In case of a data breach, data protection authorities and affected individuals need to be informed within 72 hours following the discovery of a personal data breach resulting in the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alternation, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to, personal data transmitted, stored or otherwise processed.

These GDPR Guidelines provide general information for Webster University research practitioners. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. This is an evolving document, subject to changes.

Institutional Review Board

Privacy for Researchers Full Tutorial Video (login required) (available only to Webster University staff and faculty)

Researcher Testimonial

"I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Office of Privacy for research-related DPIA applications and the service provided is excellent! Clear guidance in the procedure and timely feedback allow us to move on swiftly to subsequent steps of our IRB applications. While the administrative procedures to go through ethics applications have been more complicated since the introduction of GDPR, I am happy to have the Office of Privacy as an efficient and reliable partner in this process."

 

Marc Méhu, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology, Webster Vienna Private University

Marc Mehu
News and Events

Highlights from Webster University