Fair processing notice: AAT research
18 March 2026
This fair processing notice applies to participants in AAT research. It describes the sort of data that may be collected as part of research and should be read alongside notices for professional members, licensed members, students, training providers and/or employers depending on the nature of your existing relationship with us.
The data we collect about you
The data we collect will vary from research project to research project. This could be information you provide in a survey or in a focus group or interview that may also be recorded. For each project you will be provided information about the data we are collecting and the purpose of the research. You will also have the opportunity to choose not to share your information. The data collected could include:
- Your name and contact details
- Personal details like your date of birth, gender and background
- Employment details like your organisation name, job title, sector and industry
- Details of your membership with us and other awarding bodies, such as your AAT membership ID and membership status
- Your education information, such as qualification records, level of education, association with a training provider, Unique Learner Number/Scottish Candidate Number, and English language ability
- Ethnicity, where captured as part of a recording or optionally provided as part of your personal circumstances
- Certain health information you may disclose in respect of your personal circumstances, such as details of disabilities/learning difficulties requiring reasonable adjustments for assessments
- Any other relevant personal information contained that you may provide to us with consent throughout the research
What we do with your data and on what grounds
The data provided as part of an AAT research project is used to better understand our current and future customers and is used to help support the development of products, services and initiatives. Your insights may also be used as part of external media campaigns or thought leadership pieces dependent on the nature of the project.
Please note that participation is voluntary. If you decide not to participate there will be no negative consequences on your future dealings with AAT. Even if you decide to participate, you may stop participating at any time. You can notify us by emailing aat.research@aat.org.uk
| Purpose/activity | Lawful basis for processing including basis of legitimate interest |
|---|---|
| Understand more about your experiences |
|
| Identify areas for improvement |
|
| Understand the market you operate in |
|
| Understand the demographic makeup of our customers |
|
| We may also use your case study or quotes in marketing, campaigns, promotional communications and thought leadership reports published in the public domain |
|
Who we share your personal data with
We may publish case studies or quotes from the research, with your consent, in the public domain, including:
- on AAT website, AAT’s blog, AAT’s magazines, AAT’s offices and internal communications, membership and events materials, marketing and on AAT’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, YouTube and Vimeo published and stored in both EEA and non-EEA countries
- in paid-for advertising which includes online paid advertising and boosted posts on AAT’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, YouTube and Vimeo.
Our use of data processors
We use carefully selected third party media representatives (for example Accounting Technician (AT) magazine journalists, photographers etc) from both EEA and non-EEA countries for national, regional, trade and consumer publications and/or broadcast. Where media representatives are based outside of the EEA we have Standard Contractual Clauses in place with these organisations to ensure the protection of individuals' data protection rights and freedoms.
We use independent third-party media representatives (such as journalists), from both EEA and non-EEA countries for national, regional, trade and consumer publications. However, our media team will only engage with journalists once approval directly from you is obtained that you are happy for us to share this information and photography.
We also use Microsoft Office 365 to process emails and for file storage, hosted within the EU, and a third-party email archive system hosted within the UK . These transfers to the EU are based on the UK adequacy decision of EEA countries.
Where a third-party data processor is used, we ensure that they operate under contractual restrictions with regard to confidentiality and security, in addition to their obligations under data protection legislation. This means that they cannot do anything with your personal data unless we have instructed them to do it. They will not share your personal data with any organisation apart from us. They will hold it securely and retain it for the period we instruct.
Where we get your data from
We obtain your data directly from you during a research project. We may also receive personal data from existing data that AAT already holds as part of your relationship with AAT.
How long we keep your data
Upon your participation in a research project, we will keep your personal data for no longer than three years. After this time data will be anonymised so that you can no longer be personally identified and where this is not possible we will either destroy the data or reach out to you for renewed consent. This does not apply to existing publications that feature your information: these will not be amended or removed and will remain in circulation within our public domains.
You have the right to withdraw consent at any time and can do so by contacting us at aat.research@aat.org.uk. Should you choose to exercise this right, we will ensure that all personal identifiers are removed from the research files. Existing publications that feature your information will not be amended or removed and will remain in circulation within our public domains.
Transferring your data overseas
We transfer your data overseas as detailed above with regards to data processors.
Published research that includes your information will be available worldwide on social media platforms and other websites and may also be used as part of international marketing campaigns, for example our campaigns in Botswana. Our members are also international; membership materials are distributed/available to all of our members.
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