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.

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.

EMPATHER news

EMPATHER ORRI Toolkit

EMPATHER Core Guide

Responsible Educational Research in the Digital Age: Embedding ORRI, Privacy-by-Design and Responsible Digitalisation across the Educational Research Lifecycle

A practical guide for embedding Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI), Privacy-by-Design and responsible digitalisation throughout the educational research lifecycle. It provides accessible guidance to help researchers and educators make responsible decisions about participation, ethics, privacy, data and digital technologies—from initial research planning to project completion.

Practical resources

Privacy & Ethical Readiness Self-Assessment Checklist

A practical self-assessment tool to help educational researchers identify privacy, ethical and organisational issues before research activities begin. The checklist guides research teams through key questions related to participants, personal data, consent and participation, digital technologies, data management and project responsibilities.

Visual Data Mapping Template

A practical template that helps educational researchers understand how personal data move through their research project. It supports teams in mapping what information is collected, where it comes from, which methods or digital tools are used, where data are stored, who can access them, whether they are shared, and what happens to them when the project ends.

Privacy-by-Design Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

A practical procedure that helps educational researchers embed privacy safeguards into their research from the outset and throughout the project lifecycle. The SOP guides research teams through key actions for minimising unnecessary data collection, protecting personal information, managing access and responsibilities, reviewing digital tools, and responding when research circumstances change.

Participant Information, Consent & Assent Templates

A practical set of adaptable templates to support clear participant information, meaningful consent and informed assent in educational research. The resources help researchers explain the purpose of a study, what participation involves, how information will be used, participants’ choices and rights, and how they can ask questions or withdraw. Designed around the principle that consent is an ongoing process rather than a one-off signature.

ORRI Monitoring & Reflection Framework

A practical framework for tracking how ORRI principles are applied throughout a research project. It helps research teams document progress, identify emerging issues, reflect on responsible research practices, and record improvement actions and lessons learned. Designed to support continuous reflection and organisational learning, rather than one-off evaluation.