Privacy Policy

SUM4Products
Website: https://sum4products.co.uk

Last updated: May 2026

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how SUM4Products (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit our website: https://sum4products.co.uk.

SUM4Products is a research project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, grant number UKRI971) and delivered through a collaboration of multiple partner institutions.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling data transparently, in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Data We Collect

2.1 Website Usage

We do not intentionally collect or store personal data through general use of this website.

However, standard technical information may be collected automatically by web servers, such as:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Pages accessed and timestamps

This information is used only for:

  • Site functionality

  • Performance monitoring

  • Security purposes

It is not used to identify individual users.

2.2 Voluntarily Provided Information

In cases where you explicitly provide information, for example:

  • Signing up to participate in research activities

  • Contacting the project team

  • Registering interest in events or updates

  • Joining mailing lists

We may collect:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Institutional affiliation (if relevant)

  • Any other information you choose to provide

3. SUM4Products mailing list

We use JiscMail to manage project mailing lists and communications.

If you subscribe to our mailing list:

  • Your data will be processed and stored by JiscMail

  • JiscMail operates under its own data protection and privacy framework

You can view JiscMail’s data protection policy here:
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/

4. How we use information

Any personal data you provide is used strictly for:

  • Managing research participation

  • Communicating about the project

  • Organising events or activities

  • Administering mailing lists

  • Fulfilling the purpose for which you provided the data

We do not use your data for:

  • Commercial purposes

  • Unrelated marketing

  • Automated decision-making or profiling

5. Legal basis for processing

Where we process personal data, we do so under one or more of the following lawful bases:

  • Consent: when you voluntarily provide your information

  • Public task: for academic research carried out in the public interest

  • Legitimate interests: for essential project administration

6. Data storage and security

All personal data collected through SUM4Products activities is:

  • Held securely by the University of Birmingham and/or the University of Bristol

  • Managed in accordance with their institutional data protection and information security policies

  • Accessible only to authorised members of the SUM4Products team

While the SUM4Products project involves multiple partner organisations, personal data collected via this website or related activities is only stored and managed by the University of Birmingham and the University of Bristol.

You can view their privacy and data protection policies here:

7. Data sharing

We do not sell or share personal data with third parties for commercial purposes.

Data may be shared:

  • Between the University of Birmingham and partner institutions for project delivery

  • With authorised research collaborators where necessary, in a GDPR-compliant and controlled manner

  • When required by law