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Training and Cooperation Activity (TCA) Data Protection and the Ethics of Data Collection in Erasmus+ Projects
The importance of data collection and analysis has increased in the recent years and has become a sensitive subject to almost every organization. In the context of the Erasmus+ projects it is no different. In order to provide institutions and actors involved in the development of projects with a clear understanding of this topic, the NA DAAD hosted this Training and Cooperation Activity (TCA) dealing with the challenges of collecting and processing data in the conception and administration of Erasmus+ projects.
Data collection and analysis are becoming increasingly important. At the same time, the protection of personal data must be ensured on the one hand. On the other hand, awareness must be created that data collection has a rich potential for positive and negative uses. This must also be addressed in a project application or in the implementation of a project e. g. within the Erasmus+ Programme. The application of the GDPR guidelines is handled very differently among various organization types applying for projects in Erasmus+.
More than 80 participants from 23 European countries came together in Bonn for the first European Training and Cooperation Activity concerning data protection to explore this important topic more in depth. International speakers from all over Europe shared their knowledge and experience in data protection and the ethics of data collection.
The TCA provided an excellent opportunity to discuss data protection issues with applicants and ongoing project leaders. Especially the insights from Michal Osmenda and Jacob Kornbeck from the European Commission on the applicable data protection regulations at the European level and the keynote from Marit Hansen (President of German Data Protection Conference 2023) on ‘Data Protection in Scientific Projects’ offered guidance on the dos & don'ts of data collection. Jochim Selzer from the Chaos Computer Club held an intriguing presentation on ‘How quickly can personal data be misused’ and flash presentations on several topics deepened the knowledge of the participants.
Furthermore, an exchange between participants on good practices in data protection and on ethical guidelines in Erasmus+ project work could be initiated.
To round up the topic, an outlook ‘On the ethics of data-driven research in an age of big data and artificial intelligenced’ by Tijs Vandemeulebroucke from the Bonn Sustainable AI Lab, Institute for Science and Ethics, University of Bonn gave participants impulses on what could be expected in the future.
As a result of the event, guidelines on the use of data protection for project coordinators will be developed.
