Data processing agreement for s2survey.net – doctoral study, private individual as controller

Question

Dear SoSci Survey team,

I am a doctoral candidate at the Silesian University of Technology (Poland) and I am
preparing an online survey for my dissertation. MBA graduates in leadership positions
complete a questionnaire and then pass single-use links to up to five of their direct
subordinates; the responses are linked by a code. No names are collected. Leaders may
optionally leave an e-mail address for one reminder, which is deleted after 10 days.
I am the data controller myself (consent, Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). The study is not
commissioned by, or carried out in cooperation with, any company.

Before purchasing the Small package for s2survey.net, could you please confirm:
1. whether a private individual (a doctoral candidate acting as the controller, not an
institution) can conclude the data processing agreement for s2survey.net, and what
the procedure is;
2. whether the 12-month licence period can start on a date of my choice, as I plan to
start a pilot study in the coming months.

Kind regards

Answer 1

whether a private individual (a doctoral candidate acting as the controller, not an
institution) can conclude the data processing agreement for s2survey.net

Yes, if you are responsible for the data processing (and actually want that responsibility, inclusing significant liability), then you can. The DPA can be prepared on https://s2survey.net/DSGVO/

whether the 12-month licence period can start on a date of my choice

Yes, when buying the licence, you can select when the licence will start. You can use s2survey.net immediately after buying the licence, independently from the licence start date.