GDPR in higher education (HE) sector in the UK

Event details

Speaker

Ms Mairi Laird

Discussant

Professor Umut Turksen

Overview

This presentation seeks to critically examine the challenges and conflicts for the university sector following the recent reforms to the data protection landscape in the UK.  It will explain the issues for the Higher Education Sector in the UK, and explore and investigate the best policies, procedures and processes for the Higher Education Sector to follow in general and more specifically in fundraising from alumni, in order to ensure that the rights of students and alumni are protected.  In addition, the presentation will outline mechanisms by which the HES can maximize its ability to retain and use the personal information of those data subjects, so that they can continue to communicate with them effectively and optimise potential revenue streams.

The presentation will discuss a recognition that universities hold a unique status as triumvirate institutions, “Schrodinger’s Universities”; that they are simultaneously private bodies, public authorities and charitable institutions. It will demonstrate that universities are a special category of charitable institutions, a specific type of private business institution and a unique model of public authority.  There will be a discussion that the data protection regulations that apply to the mainstream charitable sector, to businesses and to public authorities should be amended so as to enable universities to function more efficiently in their administration and at the same time, allow them to fundraise effectively.  In addition, there will be a discussion of the unique nature of the special relationship that exists between university, student, alumni and benefactors.

Booking information

CFCI Seminars are open to everyone, but prior booking is mandatory.

Enquiries

researchproservices.fbl@coventry.ac.uk

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