Privacy Policy

The Arkansas Research Alliance ("ARA," "we," "us," or "our") operates the Arkansas Research Expertise Database (the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share information when you use the Service.

By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

Information We Collect

We collect several types of information to operate, improve, and secure the Service:

Search queries. All text entered into the search interface, including natural-language queries, keywords, and filters you apply.
Usage data. Pages viewed, search results clicked, profiles visited, and time spent on pages.
Interaction data. Introduction requests submitted, including your name, organization, email address, and message content.
Technical data. IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL, and approximate geographic location.
Session data. Session identifiers and request logs generated automatically by our servers and cloud infrastructure.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us at info@aralliance.org.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Service operation. To process and respond to your search queries and display relevant results.
Service improvement. To analyze search patterns, identify gaps in the database, improve search relevance, and develop new features. All search inputs are retained and may be reviewed internally for this purpose.
Internal metrics and analytics. To measure usage, track which research areas and institutions generate the most interest, and report on the Service's impact to ARA stakeholders and funders.
Introduction facilitation. To forward introduction requests to the appropriate contacts and follow up as needed.
Security and abuse prevention. To detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activity.
Legal compliance. To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.

Data Retention

We retain search query logs and usage data for up to three years to support longitudinal analysis of database effectiveness and user needs. Introduction request data is retained for five years. You may request deletion of your personal information by contacting us at info@aralliance.org.

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

Service providers. Third-party vendors who help us operate the Service, including Google Cloud Platform (hosting, search, and analytics infrastructure). These providers are bound by data processing agreements and may not use your data for their own purposes.
ARA staff and partners. Internal staff and authorized ARA partners who analyze usage data for reporting and program evaluation.
Legal authorities. Law enforcement or government agencies when required by law or to protect the rights and safety of ARA or the public.

Security

We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including HTTPS encryption, access controls, and cloud infrastructure security provided by Google Cloud Platform. No method of transmission over the Internet is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including the right to access, correct, or delete data we hold about you. To exercise these rights, contact us at info@aralliance.org. We will respond within 30 days.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us at:

Arkansas Research Alliance
1501 Main St. Suite 200
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
info@aralliance.org
(501) 450-7818