Privacy notice

In line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let you know about how your information will be processed. In this privacy notice, we will explain the following:

  • the legal basis for data processing
  • who will have access to your personal data
  • how your data will be used, stored and deleted
  • who you can contact a query or a complaint.

Who is collecting my data?

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is carrying out this research on behalf of Natural England to better understand the Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial.

NatCen is Britain’s largest independent social research agency. For over 50 years, we have been working with charities, universities and government to find out what people really think about the big issues. NatCen is independent of all government departments and political parties.

Natural England are an executive non-departmental public body, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They are the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England.

What is the legal basis for processing data?

In line with data protection legislation, Natural England are the data controllers and NatCen are the data processers. This means Natural England is responsible for deciding the purpose and legal basis for processing data emerging from this study. For this study, the legal basis for processing data is ‘Public Task’.

Why have I been selected?

NatCen are seeking survey participants that are involved in the management of grouse moors. You might have been sent this link because of your involvement in managing grouse moors as a gamekeeper, owner, agent or another associated role. If you are not involved in the management of grouse moors, please do not complete this survey.

What data is being collected?

Personal data collected as part of this research will include your views on the hen harrier brood management trial, hen harriers, and wildlife in general. Your personal details (including your email address and phone number) are stored in a secure folder on Nat Cen’s service and will be securely deleted once the research has been completed.

Who will have access to my personal data?

Your data will be held securely by NatCen in line with the UK GDPR. Only the NatCen research team and the survey partner that we work with will have access to personal data. Our partner, Research Rigour, are on NatCen’s approved supplier list and are compliant with all NatCen’s information security policies. Meanwhile, Natural England will also receive the anonymised survey data which will be used for quality assurance and statistical purposes only. 

How your data will be used?

The data collected will be used for research purposes only. NatCen will write a report covering the main themes and issues that have been covered in the survey. Findings from all participants will be analysed together so we will not be able to identify you or anyone taking part in the survey. The report will be published on the gov.uk/naturalengland website.

You can withdraw from the study at any time prior to analysis of the survey data, but no later than the 12th of August 2024. If you wish to do so, please contact the NatCen research team on the email address or freephone number provided below.

Will my contact information be shared with anyone else?

We will never share your contact details with third parties, including government, charities or commercial companies for marketing purposes. If there was a legitimate research purpose for sharing contact details or identifiable information, we would only do so with your direct permission.

Will I have access to my information?

Yes, but please note that once your data is combined with others’, anonymised or research findings have been published, we would not be able to change the findings by removing individual information. However, you can always request that your personal data be deleted or updated and we will let you know immediately if this is possible or not.

What are my rights?

Your rights to personal data, include: 

  • The right to request copies of your personal data.
  • The right to ask us to correct any personal data that we hold about you that’s inaccurate or incomplete.
  • The right to ask us to delete personal data that we hold about you.
  • The right to object or restrict how we’re processing your personal data.

Who to contact if you have a query or complaint?

To contact the research team at NatCen, please use email bm-trial-survey@natcen.ac.uk or call 0808 281 9526 free of charge.

If you have any questions about how your data will be used, you can contact NatCen’s Data Protection Officer at dpo@natcen.ac.uk

Natural England’s privacy policy has more information about your rights in relation to your personal data, how to complain and how to contact the Data Protection Officer. You can view it at  www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-england-privacy-notices/social-research-privacy-notice

If you are unhappy with the way your personal data is being processed, you can report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/ or by calling the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.