Welcome to The Junior! We care deeply about protecting your personal data, being transparent about how we use it, and ensuring you feel informed and respected every time you engage with us.
This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you interact with us across our platforms and services, including but not limited to our website, surveys, programmes, events, email communications, and campaigns such as The State of the Junior. It applies to all users, participants, partners, and visitors engaging with The Junior in any capacity.
1. Who we are
The Junior is a creative platform built to support, connect, and advocate for junior creatives across the UK. From programmes and community events to industry research and career resources, we aim to make the creative industry more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for emerging talent.
Our registered contact email is: privacy@the-junior.com.
2. How we collect personal data
We collect data when you:
- Fill out forms on our website or via third-party platforms (e.g. surveys, sign-ups, contact forms, job applications)
- Subscribe to our newsletter or email updates
- Interact with us on social media or through partner organisations
- Attend one of our events or workshops (virtually or in person)
- Apply for, participate in, or express interest in one of our programmes
In all instances, we are committed to collecting only the information that is necessary, relevant, and proportionate to the purpose for which it is being collected.
3. Types of data we collect
Depending on how you engage with us, we may collect the following data:
- Identity Data: name, email address, job title, employer or organisation, and contact information
- Demographic Data: age range, gender identity, ethnicity, location or region, educational background, disability status
- Professional Information: current employment status, work history, sector, experience level
- Communications Data: responses to surveys, feedback forms, and emails; preferences for marketing or research participation
- Technical Data: IP address, browser type, operating system (only if explicitly required for functionality or security)
We do not collect any sensitive personal data unless it is clearly necessary, optional, and you have given explicit consent (e.g. in surveys where we ask about ethnicity or disability to understand diversity in the sector).
4. Why we collect this data
We collect your data in order to:
- Deliver and improve our services, including surveys, events, programmes and resources
- Understand the needs and experiences of junior creatives across different backgrounds
- Communicate with you about opportunities, news, insights and events (only if you opt in)
- Report on participation and impact, anonymously or in aggregate form
- Conduct internal analysis and industry-facing research
- Ensure a safe, inclusive and relevant experience across all touchpoints
5. Lawful basis for processing
Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data on one or more of the following lawful bases:
- Consent – when you actively opt in to communications or voluntarily share your information (e.g. survey sign-ups)
- Contract – when we need to fulfil an agreement with you (e.g. programme participation or event attendance)
- Legitimate interest – where processing is necessary for the operation and improvement of our services, as long as it doesn’t override your rights
- Legal obligation – when we are required to process data to comply with the law
6. Survey participation & anonymity
For initiatives like The State of the Junior, your responses are anonymous unless you explicitly choose to share identifying information (e.g. by filling out a separate form at the end to stay in touch).
We may analyse partially completed surveys where responses are still valid and meaningful, and we will clearly state in any reporting how such data was treated.
We will never link your answers back to you personally unless you have provided clear consent to do so.
7. Data sharing & third parties
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal data to third parties. We only share data:
- With trusted service providers (e.g. MailerLite, Tally, HubSpot, Google Workspace) for the purposes of delivering services you’ve engaged with
- With project partners or collaborators, but only in anonymised or aggregated form
- When required by law, or to protect our legal rights, users, or services
In all cases, any sharing of data is minimal, purpose-specific, and conducted under strict data processing agreements.
8. How we store & protect your data
We store your data using secure, GDPR-compliant platforms:
- Google Workspace – for emails, documentation and internal team collaboration
- Tally.so – for surveys and forms
- MailerLite – for email marketing and communications
- HubSpot CRM – for contact management and organisational relationships
We implement two-factor authentication (2FA) across all our platforms and restrict access to only those team members who need it. We also regularly review access and data retention protocols to ensure ongoing compliance.
9. Data retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Where no longer needed, data is securely deleted.
If you’ve opted into updates, we will retain your contact information until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it. Survey data is anonymised, but any contact details shared separately (e.g. for updates) are stored independently.
10. Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request that we update or correct inaccurate data
- Request erasure of your data (where applicable)
- Withdraw consent at any time (for example, to stop receiving emails)
- Object to or restrict processing in certain circumstances
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe your data has been mishandled
To exercise any of these rights, email us at privacy@the-junior.com.
11. Cookies & tracking
We do not currently use cookies or behavioural tracking on our primary site or survey platform. If we introduce them in future, we will update this policy with clear notices and opt-in controls.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in law or best practice. The latest version will always be available on our website, and we’ll notify you if the changes are significant.
Questions or concerns?
We’re committed to making your experience with The Junior safe, supportive and transparent. If you have any questions or concerns about how we use your data, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at:
📧 privacy@the-junior.com
Thank you for being part of The Junior community. We take your trust seriously—and we're here to protect it.
