Data Protection for Theology and Religious Studies

Under the 1998 Data Protection Act anyone who holds personal information (whether electronically or manually) on an individual must gain permission from that individual to hold and use it. It is our intention at the PRS Subject Centre to adhere to this Act. The following document informs you how we shall achieve this for Theology and Religious Studies contacts.

PRS Subject Centre Databases

We have compiled a database of HE teachers from publicly available information (such as printed directories and university websites), and from the Association of University Departments of Theology and Religious Studies (AUDTRS) database/handbook (see below). As soon as possible, we shall replace our current database with three separate but linked databases. The PRS Subject Centre databases will only contain information on those who have given their assent:

  1. a personal database (name, address, institution, etc.)
  2. a database of teaching interests derived from questionnaire responses
  3. a database of those who tell us that they do not wish their names to be kept on a database (this is a requirement of the 1998 Data Protection Act)

All three databases will remain private to the PRS Subject Centre. We shall not make them publicly available (e.g. on our website), nor shall we give or sell a copy to any third party, except to relevant subject associations (see below).

1. The Personal Database

The main purpose of the personal database is to enable us to fulfil our aim of keeping contact with all HE teachers in the disciplines covered by the PRS Subject Centre. However, we have intimate connections with other Subject Centres, and with the relevant subject associations, and we may from time to time act as their agents in distributing printed or electronic materials through our database. We shall keep such distributions to a minimum, and ensure that they are broadly in accordance with our mission as a subject centre.

The Programme Director of the Higher Education Academy has agreed that it is a proper use of our funding to maintain membership lists of subject associations on their behalf. We have come to such an arrangement with the Association of University Departments of Theology and Religious Studies (AUDTRS), and we may make similar arrangements with other subject associations. Unless you explicitly state the contrary, we shall assume that you are willing for information to be held in this way.

2. The Database of Teaching Interests

The sole purpose of the teaching database is to manage discussion lists, and it will not be used for any other purpose, or revealed to any third party.

3. The Database of Recusants

The sole purpose of the database of recusants is to ensure that they will not receive unsolicited mail, and it will not be used for any other purpose, or revealed to any third party.

The AUDTRS Database and Handbook

While AUDTRS database/handbook is currently edited by Dr Darlene Bird of the PRS Subject Centre it remains the property of AUDTRS, and is distinct from the PRS Subject Centre databases. We have already informed heads of department covered by the AUDTRS database/handbook that we also wish to use the information for our purposes, and have asked for confirmation that the details we currently hold are correct before mailing people individually. You may opt to remain part of the AUDTRS database and/or be listed in the handbook, while having your details removed from PRS Subject Centre records.

AUDTRS may also wish to distribute your details to a limited number of third parties such as member departments of AUDTRS, and relevant publishing companies. If you do not wish your details to be distributed in this way please inform Dr Bird (contact details below).

Other Action You May Take

Unless we hear from you we shall assume that you agree to remain on these databases and have your information used for the purposes as described. You may ask to be removed from, or added to, the PRS Subject Centre and/or AUDTRS databases at any time. Furthermore, if you request it, we shall send you a complete print-out of your entry free of charge. We hope that you will wish to remain part of these important resources. If you do not wish to do so please inform Dr Smith.

Please address any correspondence to:

Dr Rebecca O'Loughlin
PRS Subject Centre
School of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Leeds
Leeds, LS2 9JT
Email: enquiries@prs.heacademy.ac.uk
Tel: 0113 343 4184