In short
We believe privacy is part of health equity. This policy explains what information we collect when you visit our site, how we use it, and how we keep it safe. If you join one of our studies, additional protections apply through your informed consent form and our Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight.
What we collect
Most of the time, you can browse our website without telling us who you are. We may collect standard technical information — such as your browser type, device, approximate location, and the pages you view — to understand how people use the site and improve it. If you email us or sign up for updates, we collect the information you choose to share, like your name and email address.
Research participation data
When you take part in a REGAL study, we collect information specifically described in your study consent form. That form is the authoritative guide for what is collected, how it is stored, who can access it, and how long it is kept. Study data is handled under strict IRB-approved protocols and, when applicable, federal research privacy rules.
How we use information
We use website information to keep the site secure, fix problems, and see which topics matter most to visitors. If you contact us, we use your details only to respond to you. We do not sell personal information. We do not use website browsing data to make decisions about individuals.
How we protect your data
We use industry-standard security measures to protect information from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss. No system is perfectly secure, so we also limit what we collect in the first place and review our practices regularly.
Your choices and rights
You can unsubscribe from email updates at any time by following the link in any message we send. You can also contact us to ask what information we have about you, request corrections, or ask us to delete your contact details. Research datasets governed by consent forms may have additional or different procedures, which we will explain when you participate.
Children's privacy
Our website is not designed to collect information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child without proper consent, we will delete it promptly.
Updates to this policy
We may update this policy as our website or research practices change. When we do, we will revise the date at the bottom of the page. Significant changes will be noted here.
Contact us
Questions about this privacy policy, your information, or a specific study? Email us at regalresearch@duke.edu.
Research is built on trust.
Protecting your privacy is not a separate task from our science — it is part of how we show respect to the communities that make our work possible. If something here is unclear, we want to hear from you.
Ask a privacy question