Privacy Notice

Last updated: December 2025

1. Who we are

Women’s Online Wellbeing (WOW) is an international research project led by Northumbria University (UK), funded through the CHANSE / NORFACE programme. The project examines digitalised violence against women across Europe.

For the purposes of data protection law, the Data Controller for this website is:

Northumbria University
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
ICO Registration Number: Z7674926

Northumbria University processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR), and applicable domestic data protection laws.

WOW is delivered in partnership with academic institutions in Ireland, Sweden, Spain and Poland. Where personal data is collected as part of formal research activity, this will be covered by separate, specific privacy notices and participant information sheets.

2. What this privacy notice covers

This privacy notice explains how we collect and use personal data when you:

  • Visit the WOW website

  • Contact us using the website contact form

It does not cover:

  • Participation in research studies

  • Registration for events or surveys hosted on third-party platforms

  • External websites linked from this site

Where additional data collection takes place, you will be provided with a separate privacy notice at the point of collection.

3. What personal data we collect via this website

Contact form

If you contact us via the website, we may collect:

  • Your name

  • Your email address

  • The content of your message

We only collect the minimum information needed to respond to your enquiry.

Website usage data

Our website is hosted on Squarespace, which uses cookies and similar technologies to ensure the site functions correctly and to understand how it is used.

This may include:

  • IP address (in anonymised or aggregated form)

  • Browser and device information

  • Pages visited and interactions with the site

Cookie preferences are managed directly through the Squarespace cookie banner.

4. How we use your information

We use personal data collected through this website to:

  • Respond to enquiries submitted via the contact form

  • Manage and maintain the WOW website

  • Understand how visitors use the site, so we can improve accessibility and content

We do not use contact form data for marketing purposes, and we do not sell personal data.

5. Legal basis for processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

  • Legitimate interests – to respond to enquiries and manage the website

  • Consent – where required for cookies and similar technologies

Where consent is relied upon, you can withdraw it at any time.

6. Cookies

This website uses cookies provided through Squarespace.

Cookies may be used to:

  • Ensure the website functions properly

  • Analyse website traffic and usage

  • Improve user experience

You can manage or withdraw your cookie consent at any time using the cookie settings on the site. For more information, please see Squarespace’s own cookie and privacy documentation.

7. Sharing your data

Personal data collected via this website is not routinely shared.

Data may be processed by:

  • Squarespace, as our website hosting provider

Squarespace acts as a data processor and is required to process data in line with data protection law and contractual safeguards.

We will only share personal data where:

  • It is legally required

  • It is necessary to respond to your enquiry

  • Appropriate safeguards are in place

8. International data transfers

As an international research project, WOW involves partners across the UK and EU.

For this website:

  • Data is primarily processed under UK GDPR

  • Where data is transferred outside the UK or EU, appropriate safeguards (such as adequacy decisions or standard contractual clauses) will be used

9. How long we keep your data

  • Contact form enquiries are retained only for as long as necessary to respond and manage follow-up

  • Website analytics data is retained in line with Squarespace’s standard retention periods

We do not keep personal data longer than necessary.

10. Your rights

Under UK GDPR and EU GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Be informed about how your data is used

  • Access the personal data we hold about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate data

  • Request erasure of your data (in certain circumstances)

  • Restrict or object to processing (in certain circumstances)

  • Withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis

To exercise your rights, contact the Data Protection Officer using the details below.

11. Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officer
Northumbria University
Email: dp.officer@northumbria.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)191 243 7357

12. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how your personal data has been handled, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Website: www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: +44 303 123 1113

13. Future activities

In future, the WOW website may link to:

  • Event registration platforms

  • Research participation opportunities

  • Surveys hosted on third-party systems

When this happens:

  • Data collection will take place on external platforms

  • You will be provided with clear, specific privacy information at the point of sign-up

This privacy notice will be updated as the website and project activities evolve.