Rural and environmental science and analytical services: privacy notices and general data protection regulation

Privacy notice: Centres of Expertise Feedback Survey

About this privacy notice

This privacy notice explains how your personal data (e.g. any information that could identify you such as name and email address) collected for the purposes of this research will be used and handled. The Scottish Government is the “data controller” for this study, as Scottish Government researchers will be responsible for securely storing the data you provide and analysing it. You are being contacted about this survey as we have identified you as an end user of services provided by one or more of the four Centres of Expertise that we are evaluating.

Who we are

The Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS) is a Scottish Government department that is responsible for statistics and scientific, economic and social research on agriculture, food, environment and rural issues.

We are conducting an internal evaluation of four Centres of Expertise which receive funding from  RESAS. These are:

• CREW- Centre of Expertise for Waters
  EPIC  – Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks
• SEFARI Gateway - Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for knowledge exchange and innovation
• CXC (Climate X Change) - Scotland’s centre of expertise on climate change

The evaluation covers their contract from April 2022. This survey forms part of the wider evaluation. It will help evaluate the performance of each of the centres involved and help identify areas for improvement. Not completing the survey may mean inadequate data is used to determine the performance of the centres and future delivery improvements.

About the information we collect

If you agree to take part in the research, we will collect and process the following data about you:

• Demographic information limited to the job sector you are employed in
• Information you give in answering the surveys relating to your views and opinions about the performance of the centre(s), including optional open text response

The lawful basis for collecting and using your personal information

Participation in the survey is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time before you submit your responses. The legal basis for processing personal data is the performance of a task carried out in the public interest.

We are collecting this data in the performance of a public task, under Article 6(1)(e) of the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018), and in accordance with Section 4 of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911.

How we use your information

The information you provide in completing the survey will be analysed by Scottish Government researchers, and anonymously summarised in a final report.

The survey is anonymous. The centre(s) of expertise you have engaged with has sent you the survey invitation link because they already hold your e-mail address. They will not receive the results of the survey. RESAS shall receive the survey responses. RESAS will not collect your e-mail address nor any other contact details through the survey. Any quotes used will be anonymous by default. In the event that open text responses contain information that could reveal your own or someone else’s identity this information will be anonymised and/or redacted. The information gathered in this survey will be used for research purposes only and dealt with in accordance with data protection legislation.

Who we share your information with

We will not share your personal information with any other groups. We will share the final report findings within RESAS and the centres of expertise. The research data and any quotes will be anonymised in this report.

Your information is not shared outside of the UK.

How long we store your information

The survey will be administered using Microsoft Forms. The survey data will be stored electronically on the Scottish Government’s electronic Record and Document Management system (eRDM) with access restricted to the internal project team.

The survey data will be retained until the project is complete. It will then be deleted within 6 months of the final report. The information will be stored on a secure server and in line with data protection legislation.

Your rights in relation to your information 

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.  There is more information available on how you can do this

We want to make sure that your personal data is accurate and up to date. You may ask us to correct or remove personal data you think is inaccurate.

There is more information available about your data protection rights.

Questions and complaints about how we handlle your information

If you have any questions about the research or a complaint about how we have handled your personal information, please get in touch with Rod Allen

If this does not resolve your complaint, you can contact our Data Protection Officer. 

However, you also have the right to lodge a complaint about data protection matters with the Information Commissioner's Office.  

Address

Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Telephone

0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745.

Website

You can also visit their website for more information