An evolutionary 'trap' that has haunted crested and marbled newts for 25 million years: Leiden researchers have uncovered a mysterious DNA error that should not be able to arise – yet persists all the same. How is that possible? PhD candidate James France found new clues.

Collecting personal and sensitive data is not as common an issue in archaeological research as in some other fields such as sociology and political sciences which is often the reason why archaeologists might not be aware that they are handling those types of data.

As a PhD candidate, you work with data. To keep (personal) data as secure as possible, the university has established an information security policy.

As a university employee, you probably work with personal data. That is not just names and telephone numbers – it can also include things like cookies. How can you make sure you are working in a privacy-proof way?

Your options for data storage may vary depending on factors such as size and sensitivity of the data or collaboration with partners outside the university. We are all responsible for data protection. To keep (personal) data as secure as possible, the university has established an information security…

When structured properly, the data are easier to manipulate, analyze and visualize.

Do you have questions about data management? Please contact the data stewards:

A data processing register is a record of which personal data you process and who you share this data with. If you collect personal data for your research, you must record this in the data processing register.

If you bring in a (new) person who will be processing personal data for you, this person is not allowed to use this information for his or her own purposes. You need to formalise this in a data processing agreement. The university will usually have an agreement in place.

If your research project involves collecting private or otherwise sensitive data, you must ensure adequate data protection measures are taken. Research must be conducted in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In terms of patient data, for instance, when used for research carried…

Individuals have the right to instruct the university to delete their personal data in a number of cases. For instance, if the university no longer needs the data, or if the person withdraws consent previously given.

Universities, companies, organisations and societies are increasingly facing enormous quantities of data. It is a great challenge to transform these Big Data into knowledge, which is why Leiden University has launched a University-wide Data Science Research Programme.

Contemporary data management practices rest on the four principles: findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability.

As a standard, your workplace comes equipped with a limited amount of disk space. We offer a number of options for extending your disk space. In addition, ISSC can help you recover lost files. You can also securely store your files in the cloud via OneDrive and Teams. Whichever storage you use, be aware…

Firstly, Data Management Plan (DMP) is after all a plan, so you must carry it out!

Doing research in archaeology is more than just gathering data and publishing a paper. Nowadays, there is a growing trend in producing well-defined and responsible data management plans. They help to navigate the process and result in good data management practices which in return benefit the researchers…

Are you handling personal data just once, for instance when taking the minutes of a meeting or organising an employee outing? You do not need to include this use in the data processing register if you stick to the following conditions.

As an employee of Leiden University, you probably work with or come into contact with personal data. The concept of ‘personal data’ is core to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you work with personal data, you must be able to explain clearly, comprehensively and in simple language how…

Didactics, Career development

Biotechnological developments are moving fast. From genetically modified plant varieties we are now moving to cultured meat. These developments require moral interpretation - and they get it in the form of art. Lotte Pet wrote a dissertation about it.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could be useful allies in the fight against critical environmental problems. Could because the use of GMOs is strictly regulated at the moment. A Leiden student team is now trying to make these GMOs safer with the aid of an ingenious lock.

Your options for data storage may vary depending on factors such as size and sensitivity of the data or collaboration with partners outside the university. We are all responsible for data protection. To keep (personal) data as secure as possible, the university has established an information security…

Any loss of control over stored personal data is a potential data breach. Most cases involve stolen or lost digital files, but a stolen or lost printed list of personal data is also a data breach. It is important to report any data breach.

We already know a lot about genetics and the risk of breast cancer. But much still needs to be done in breast cancer genetics to improve the prognosis and make sure women at high risk aren’t missed. This is what Professor by Special Appointment Marjanka Schmidt will say in her inaugural lecture on 4…