Privacy policy

Last updated: 27 May 2026

1. Introduction

This privacy notice explains how the Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (“the JUST Centre”) collects, uses, shares and protects your personal information.

The JUST Centre is funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Building a Green Future strategic theme and the Economic and Social Research Council (Grant ES/Z504130/1).

The JUST Centre is administered by The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, which is the data controller for the personal data described in this notice. The University’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at dataprotection@manchester.ac.uk.

This notice applies to all visitors to https://just.ac.uk/ and to anyone who engages with our events, communications or activities.

We may update this notice from time to time. The most current version will appear on this webpage.

2. What personal data we collect

We only collect the personal information that you choose to provide to us or that is generated when you use our website. This may include:

Information you provide directly

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Job title
  • Organisation
  • Enquiry content
  • Event registration information

Special category data (only where strictly necessary and with your explicit consent)

  • Information about health or accessibility requirements
  • Information about ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs
  • Any other sensitive information you voluntarily supply

Information collected automatically

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device information
  • Website usage data (page views, clicks, time spent, etc.) via Google Analytics
  • Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 8)

We obtain most personal data directly from you. Where you register for events through platforms such as Eventbrite, we receive the information you provide to that platform.

3. Purposes for which we use your data

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

  • Responding to enquiries
  • Sending newsletters and updates (with your consent)
  • Promoting JUST Centre research, events and opportunities
  • Delivering events, workshops and programmes
  • Managing our website and improving its performance
  • Conducting reporting required by funders
  • Ensuring security, fraud prevention and system integrity

We do not use your data for automated decision-making.

We carry out limited profiling for using engagement analytics (e.g. open rates, link clicks) to help us understand what people engage with and improve future communications. You have the right to object to this at any time.

We rely on one or more of the following lawful bases under UK GDPR Article 6:

a) Public task (Article 6(1)(e))

Where processing is necessary for tasks we carry out in the public interest, such as research, knowledge exchange or public engagement.

b) Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f))

Our legitimate interests include effective stakeholder engagement, communications and Centre administration, where these interests are not overridden by your rights.

c) Consent (Article 6(1)(a))

Used when sending newsletters, updates, event promotions or where required under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) for direct marketing.

You may withdraw consent at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting just@manchester.ac.uk.

Special Category Data

Where we collect sensitive information, we rely on:

  • Explicit consent (Article 9(2)(a)) for health information, equality data, or other special category data that you provide voluntarily.

5. Who we share your data with

We never sell or rent your information. We share your data only when necessary and only with:

a) JUST Centre partners

Listed on our website, to help answer enquiries or deliver collaborative activities.

b) Third-party service providers acting on our behalf

We use trusted third-party service providers to deliver activities such as email communications, event registration, surveys and data storage. These include providers such as Microsoft 365, Mailchimp and Eventbrite.

Some of these providers may transfer personal data outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place.

You may request details of these safeguards by contacting dataprotection@manchester.ac.uk.

These providers act under our instructions and may not use your personal data for their own purposes.

6. How long we keep your data

All personal data is retained in line with The University of Manchester’s records management policies, including approved retention schedules, and is not kept for longer than necessary for the purposes described in this notice.

Retention periods

  • Newsletter and marketing communications: Retained until you opt out, then deleted or anonymised within 12 months.
  • Email enquiries: Stored only as long as required to respond to your request and deleted 12 months after request has been responded to and considered closed.
  • Event registrations: Where required for long-term reporting, impact evaluation, or Centre administration, certain event participation records may be retained up to 12 months after the close of the JUST Centre (end of grant: 1 January 2030).

Any data no longer required for these purposes will be deleted or anonymised earlier.

All personal data will be deleted or anonymised by 12 months after the end of the JUST Centre grant unless you request earlier deletion.

7. Your rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Request deletion
  • Restrict processing
  • Object to processing based on public task or legitimate interests
  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • Object to profiling
  • Request data portability (where applicable)
  • Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise your rights, contact dataprotection@manchester.ac.uk or call 0161 275 7789.

8. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Provide core site functionality
  • Improve site performance
  • Analyse website usage

You can manage cookie preferences through our cookie banner or browser settings.

To opt out of Google Analytics, visit: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/

A full list of cookies used is provided in our Cookie Policy.

9. Embedded and third-party content

Our website may include embedded content (e.g. videos, articles). These third-party sites may collect data or use cookies according to their own privacy policies.

Please note that some websites or online services associated with the JUST Centre may collect and use personal data differently. These sites will have their own local privacy notices explaining their data practices.

When you follow a link from a JUST Centre webpage to a website operated by a third party, that third party becomes responsible for the protection and privacy of any information you provide while visiting their site.

The JUST Centre cannot accept responsibility for the privacy practices of external websites. We encourage users to exercise caution and review the privacy notice applicable to any third-party website they visit.

10. Social media channels and analytics

The JUST Centre maintains official channels on platforms such as YouTube, LinkedIn and Bluesky. When you engage with our content on these platforms, please note the following:

  • These platforms collect and process personal data under their own privacy policies, using their own cookies, tracking technologies and analytics.
  • Your actions (e.g. viewing, following, liking, commenting, sharing) may result in the platform collecting information about you.
  • We receive aggregated and/or anonymised analytics from these platforms to track engagement and improve our communications, such as: - number of views or impressions - engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) - follower and audience demographics - traffic sources and performance indicators

We do not receive identifiable personal data from these platforms unless you engage with us directly (e.g. follow us, message us, comment on a post).

11. Email communications

Emails sent to just@manchester.ac.uk are stored within Microsoft Outlook and accessed only by authorised JUST Centre leadership and operations staff. Emails are retained in line with the retention periods outlined in Section 6.

12. Contact us

If you have any questions about this notice or how your data is handled, contact us via email: just@manchester.ac.uk

If you are dissatisfied, you may lodge a complaint to the ICO at https://ico.org.uk or via telephone 0303 123 1113.