Data Governance and Privacy in Research Training Course

Data Governance and Privacy in Research Training Course

Introduction

In today's data-driven research environments, managing and protecting sensitive information has become a fundamental responsibility. With the increasing focus on data protection laws like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act), and other global privacy regulations, researchers must equip themselves with advanced knowledge of data governance, privacy compliance, and ethical research practices. Data Governance and Privacy in Research Training Course is specifically tailored to guide professionals, academics, and institutional researchers through the complex landscape of handling sensitive data in research contexts, while maintaining legal and ethical integrity.

Through this intensive and practical training, participants will gain strategic insights into regulatory frameworks, risk management, data lifecycle governance, and privacy-enhancing technologies. From designing privacy-aware research methodologies to managing cross-border data sharing, this course empowers learners with practical tools, policy guidance, and real-world case studies to conduct compliant and ethically sound research.

Course Objectives

1. Understand core principles of data privacy laws (GDPR, POPIA, HIPAA, etc.)
2. Develop effective data governance frameworks for research projects
3. Identify and mitigate risks associated with sensitive data handling
4. Apply privacy by design and default principles in research methodology
5. Gain proficiency in informed consent and ethical data collection
6. Master the implementation of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
7. Navigate cross-border data transfers and international data laws
8. Implement strategies for data minimization and pseudonymization
9. Leverage privacy-enhancing technologies in research workflows
10. Design data retention policies in alignment with compliance mandates
11. Create organizational data protection and incident response plans
12. Analyze landmark case studies involving privacy breaches in research
13. Equip teams with tools for ongoing compliance training and audit readiness

Target Audience

1. Academic Researchers
2. Data Protection Officers (DPOs)
3. Research Ethics Committee Members
4. Institutional Review Board (IRB) Officers
5. Government Policy Analysts
6. Healthcare Researchers and Clinicians
7. Legal and Compliance Professionals
8. NGO and Social Science Field Researchers

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Data Governance in Research

• Introduction to research data governance
• Key components of ethical data management
• Legal vs ethical obligations in data use
• Overview of GDPR, POPIA, HIPAA, and other frameworks
• Tools for data governance implementation
• Case Study: Building a compliance-ready research project at a South African university

Module 2: Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance Obligations

• Deep dive into GDPR and POPIA principles
• Research exemptions under data protection laws
• Roles and responsibilities of data controllers/processors
• Legal basis for processing personal data in research
• Developing lawful consent processes
• Case Study: Managing dual-jurisdiction compliance in an EU-Africa collaborative study

Module 3: Ethics, Informed Consent, and Sensitive Data Handling

• Differentiating personal, sensitive, and special category data
• Designing informed consent processes
• Dealing with vulnerable populations and ethical review boards
• Confidentiality and participant trust in sensitive studies
• Dynamic consent and long-term research engagement
• Case Study: Implementing dynamic consent in a longitudinal health study

Module 4: Data Minimization, Anonymization, and Pseudonymization

• Data minimization strategies for researchers
• De-identification and re-identification risks
• Pseudonymization vs anonymization in practice
• Technical tools and standards for data masking
• Reproducibility vs privacy in research datasets
• Case Study: Anonymizing datasets in a political opinion study

Module 5: Conducting DPIAs and Managing Research Risks

• When and how to conduct a DPIA in research
• Risk identification and mitigation for sensitive projects
• Integrating DPIA into research planning
• Role of ethics committees in risk review
• Template-driven DPIA implementation
• Case Study: DPIA for a mobile-based HIV stigma research initiative

Module 6: Cross-border Data Transfers and Cloud Research Tools

• Understanding international data transfer restrictions
• Mechanisms for lawful data export (SCCs, adequacy decisions)
• Risks of cloud storage and SaaS platforms
• Data localization vs global collaboration
• Managing third-party vendors and processors
• Case Study: Using cloud-based AI tools in transnational health research

Module 7: Privacy by Design and Technology Integration

• Embedding privacy from the research design stage
• Technology solutions for privacy management
• Privacy dashboards and automated compliance tools
• Integrating access controls and audit trails
• Research software selection based on privacy impact
• Case Study: Privacy-first research architecture in an AI-based mental health study

Module 8: Data Retention, Destruction, and Audit Readiness

• Retention schedules and justifications in research
• Secure data disposal and deletion procedures
• Documenting compliance efforts for audits
• Building internal audit frameworks for research units
• Preparing for external inspections and reviews
• Case Study: Post-project data lifecycle management in a UN-funded migration study

Training Methodology

• Interactive expert-led presentations
• Hands-on practical demonstrations and toolkits
• Case study analysis and collaborative group discussions
• Guided templates and DPIA walkthroughs
• Pre- and post-assessment evaluations for knowledge benchmarking

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.