Jisc to help universities use data to improve student wellbeing

The edtech company has been selected by the Information Commissioner’s Office as one of 10 projects for its new programme, Sandbox

Jisc is developing a code of practice to help universities use student data to improve support services.

Jisc has a learning analytics code of practice, which provides an ethical approach to using student data to improve learning. This new programme aims to extend this to student support and wellbeing.

The edtech company was selected by the Information Commissioner’s Office as a contributor to Sandbox, a group of 10 new projects that will aim to develop new best practice for data protection.

Discussing these in the Sandbox will help Jisc provide the best possible guidance to universities and colleges who wish to develop the use of data within their support services.
– Andrew Cormack, Jisc

Other partners include the Greater London Authority, which aims to use data to support its new Violence Reduction Unit, and Heathrow Airport, which aims to use biometrics to streamline passenger services.


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Andrew Cormack, chief regulatory adviser at Jisc, said: “We are looking forward to working with the ICO on our draft wellbeing analytics code of practice. Supporting student wellbeing raises complex ethical and legal issues. Discussing these in the Sandbox will help Jisc provide the best possible guidance to universities and colleges who wish to develop the use of data within their support services.”

The next stage of the process will be for the ICO and participants to agree and develop detailed plans before work starts on testing products and services.

To learn more, visit Jisc and ICO Sandbox.

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