About the project
The EMPATHER project tackles a growing challenge in the field of educational research: how to ensure privacy, transparency, and trust when using digital tools and collecting data? To address this, EMPATHER seeks to build a clear and practical framework that helps researchers work responsibly and ethically. At the heart of the project is the goal of embedding Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) principles into EDVOCACY’s everyday practices. This means creating structures and habits that make privacy and ethics a natural part of every research activity—not an afterthought. Over the project’s 12-month duration, EMPATHER aims to transform how EDVOCACY designs and conducts educational research—making privacy and responsible digitalisation core organisational values. By the end of the project, all developed resources will be shared openly, offering other organisations in Greece and beyond a ready-to-use model for strengthening privacy in digital educational research.
Project Objectives
Develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Privacy-by-Design
The core mission is to transform institutional practices by embedding ethical data management and accountability into standard methodologies. This SOP ensures that privacy considerations are integrated from the very start of any digital educational research project.
Co-create a practical ORRI Toolkit
This will be a tangible, open-access resource, featuring essential practical tools like consent templates, self-assessment checklists, and visual data mapping guides. The toolkit is designed to make the implementation of Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) principles straightforward for all EDvocacy staff.
Train staff through hands-on simulations
The project includes a dedicated component for capacity building, focusing on practical, skills-based learning rather than just theory. Staff will use realistic, mock research scenarios to apply the new SOP and Toolkit, significantly increasing their confidence in responsible data practices.
Establish a multi-stakeholder Privacy Review Board (PRB)
The PRB is central to the project’s participatory approach, bringing together staff, ministry experts, teachers, parents, and students. This ensures that the developed tools and procedures are co-designed, relevant to all stakeholders, and widely accepted by the community.
Project Actions and Activities
Action 1: Project Setup and Initiation
Activity: Establish the core project coordination team and define initial operational procedures.
Activity: Establish the core project coordination team and define initial operational procedures.
Action 2: ORRI Toolkit and SOP Co-Design
Activity: Develop the draft SOP for Privacy-by-Design in collaboration with the PRB.
Activity: Co-create the comprehensive EMPATHER ORRI Toolkit, including templates, consent forms, and checklists.
Action 3: Test, Refine, and Pilot Implementation
Activity: Conduct pilot testing of the developed SOP and Toolkit using realistic research cases.
Activity: Gather structured feedback from the PRB and internal users to iteratively refine all project outputs
Action 4: Capacity Building and Training
Activity: Execute the staff training program focused on hands-on application of the ORRI Toolkit and SOP, targeting increased confidence in responsible practices.
Action 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, & Adoption
Activity: Implement a formal monitoring plan, including tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for internal adoption of ORRI principles.
Activity: Achieve final institutionalization and formal adoption of the SOP and Toolkit within EDvocacy’s organizational structure.
Action 6: Communication and Dissemination
Activity: Publish all project outputs under open licenses, making them available to the wider community via the REINFORCING platform.
Activity: Engage in communication activities to share the project’s model and results with other NGOs and educational research bodies globally.
Project Partners
