Privacy Policy

1. Data Controller

Academics for Circular Economy e. V. i. G.
℅ Teresa Holfeld
Amselweg 6
27389 Fintel
Germany

Phone: +90 (212) 533 16 09 (Selin Gökkut)
Email: Julian.LautenWeiss@gmail.com (Julian Lauten-Weiss)

Academics for Circular Economy e. V. i. G. (“we”, “us”, “the Association”) is the controller of personal data collected via our website, by email, or through direct interactions (e.g. events, memberships, business cards, or publicly available professional contact details).

2. Purpose and Legal Basis of Processing

We process personal data only to the extent necessary and for the following purposes:

  • Communication about our activities, research, events, and publications

  • Management of memberships and governance of the Association

  • Responding to inquiries and maintaining professional contacts

  • Organising events and academic or policy-related initiatives

  • Website operation and security

The legal bases for processing are:

  • Legitimate interests (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR), in particular to communicate with our academic and professional network

  • Contractual necessity (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR), where processing is required for membership or participation

  • Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR), where explicitly requested (e.g. newsletters or non-essential cookies)

3. Categories of Personal Data

We may process:

  • Contact details (name, email address, affiliation, phone number)

  • Professional information

  • Communication content

  • Technical data (IP address, browser type, log files)

4. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website uses essential cookies necessary for its operation. Non-essential cookies (e.g. analytics) are used only with your consent via a cookie banner.

Analytics data, where used, are processed in an aggregated and anonymised manner to improve website performance. You can withdraw or change your cookie preferences at any time via your browser settings or the cookie banner.

5. Recipients and Service Providers

We may engage carefully selected service providers (e.g. email hosting, cloud storage, website services) who process data on our behalf under data processing agreements in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR.

Personal data is not sold or rented to third parties.

6. International Data Transfers

Personal data is processed within the European Union. Where service providers outside the EU/EEA are used, transfers take place only under appropriate safeguards, such as EU Standard Contractual Clauses in accordance with Art. 46 GDPR.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes stated above:

  • For the duration of membership or active engagement

  • Up to five years after the last interaction, unless statutory retention obligations apply or deletion is requested earlier

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data

  • Rectify inaccurate or incomplete data

  • Request erasure of your data

  • Restrict processing

  • Object to processing based on legitimate interests

  • Withdraw consent at any time

  • Receive your data in a portable format (data portability)

Requests can be made by contacting us at Julian.LautenWeiss@gmail.com.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. In Germany, this is the competent supervisory authority of your federal state.

9. Children’s Data

Our activities and website are not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If such data becomes known to us, it will be deleted without delay.

10. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Access to personal data is limited to authorised persons only.

11. Data Protection Officer

Academics for Circular Economy e. V. i. G. has not appointed a Data Protection Officer, as this is not required under Art. 37 GDPR.

12. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. The current version is always available on this website and becomes effective upon publication.

13. Contact

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or data protection matters, please contact:

Julian Lauten-Weiss
Email: Julian.LautenWeiss@gmail.com

Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help ensure the website functions properly, improve user experience, and provide information on how the website is used.

2. Cookies Used on This Website

The website www.academics-for-ce.org is built using Squarespace, which uses cookies for the following purposes:

a) Essential Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be disabled. They include:

  • Security and fraud prevention

  • Page navigation and load balancing

  • Cookie consent preference storage

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in operating a secure website)

b) Analytics Cookies (Optional)

We use website analytics provided by Google (e.g. Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our website. These cookies:

  • Collect aggregated, anonymised usage data

  • Do not directly identify individual visitors

  • Are activated only after you give consent

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent)

c) Embedded Forms and External Services

Our website may include embedded content or links to:

  • Google Forms (membership registration)

  • Gmail (newsletter and communications)

When interacting with these services, cookies may be set directly by Google in accordance with Google’s privacy and cookie policies. These cookies are subject to your consent choices and Google’s own settings.

3. Cookie Consent Management

Upon your first visit, you are presented with a cookie banner allowing you to:

  • Accept all cookies

  • Reject non-essential cookies

  • Manage your preferences

Squarespace stores your cookie preferences and applies them automatically on future visits. You may also change or withdraw your consent at any time through your browser settings.

4. How to Control Cookies

You can:

  • Withdraw consent at any time via your browser

  • Delete stored cookies

  • Configure your browser to block cookies altogether

Please note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

5. Updates to This Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy may be updated to reflect legal or technical changes. The current version is always available on this website and applies immediately upon publication.