We value your privacy. This page describes how The Pan-African Data Project handles data from visitors to the site.
Last updated: October 15, 2025
1. Who We Are
The Pan-African Data Project is a digital humanities research initiative directed by Roopika Risam at Dartmouth College, developed in collaboration with the African American Digital Humanities Initiative (AADHum) at the University of Maryland, College Park; Performant Software Solutions; and student researchers.
Our website address is https://panafricandata.org.
2. What Data We Collect
We collect only the data necessary to maintain the site and improve usability.
Automatically collected information
When you visit this site, standard web logs may record:
- Browser type and version;
- Device type and operating system;
- Referring website;
- Date and time of access; and/or
- IP address (used for security and analytics only).
This data is collected in aggregate and is not used to identify individual visitors.
User accounts
Individuals who wish to contribute content — such as paths, posts, or data — may request a user account through the contact information below. Account requests are reviewed and approved by the project team.
When an account is created, we collect limited personal information (such as name, email address, and institutional affiliation) to verify identity and manage access. User credentials are stored securely and used only for authentication and project-related communication.
Historical data
The data presented on this site documents historical figures, organizations, and events related to Pan-Africanism between 1900 and 1960. It does not include personally identifiable information about living individuals. All research materials are derived from publicly available archival or scholarly sources and are presented for educational and research purposes only.
If you are a descendant or family member of a person represented on the site and have concerns about accuracy, representation, or context, you may request a review of the relevant material through the contact information below. The project team will evaluate all such requests in good faith, prioritizing considerations of privacy, dignity, and historical integrity.
Embedded and hosted content
The Pan-African Data Project is hosted through Netlify, which may collect basic analytics data (such as browser type, referring site, and general location) as part of its standard hosting services. These analytics are anonymized and used only to monitor aggregate site traffic and performance.
Some pages may include embedded media, such as images or videos, which behave as if you visited the source site directly and may collect data according to that site’s privacy policy.
We do not control or store any information collected by Netlify or other third-party hosts.
Voluntarily provided data
If you contact the project team by email or through a contact form, we collect only the information you provide (such as your name and email address) in order to respond to your inquiry.
Saved searches and data export
This site allows visitors to save searches or export search results as JSON files. Please note:
- Saved searches are stored locally in your web browser and are not transmitted to or stored by The Pan-African Data Project;
- Saved searches are automatically deleted when you clear your browser cache or local storage; and
- When you export data, the resulting JSON file is created on your device and is not sent to our servers.
These features are provided solely for user convenience and do not transmit any personal information to the project.
3. Cookies and Local Storage
This site uses only the technologies necessary for it to function properly, including:
- Essential cookies that keep the website secure and stable;
- Local storage in your browser to remember accessibility preferences and saved searches; and
- Session cookies that enable secure login for authorized contributors.
No information from these cookies or local-storage items is transmitted to our servers for tracking, advertising, or marketing purposes.
By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of these essential features.
4. How We Use Data
We use the limited data we collect to:
- Maintain website security and functionality;
- Manage authentication and access for approved contributors;
- Monitor aggregate, anonymized site usage; and
- Respond to visitor inquiries.
We do not use visitor data for profiling, marketing, or commercial purposes, and we do not sell or share your data with third parties.
5. Data Sharing and Retention
Technical data collected through Netlify’s hosting platform is stored securely and retained only as long as necessary for the site’s operation.
User account information is retained only while the account remains active and is deleted upon request or project completion.
Contributors may request deletion of their accounts and associated personal data at any time. However, public content created through these accounts — such as paths, posts, or other contributions — may remain on the site as part of the project’s scholarly and archival record.
Requests for content removal will be reviewed individually, prioritizing privacy, attribution, or ethical concerns.
6. Your Rights
If you are located in the European Union, United Kingdom, or other jurisdictions with similar privacy laws, you may request:
- Access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data;
- Information on how your data is processed; and
- To withdraw consent at any time.
To make such a request, contact us using the information below.
7. Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or data practices, please contact:
The Pan-African Data Project
Directed by Roopika Risam, Dartmouth College
Email Roopika Risam
Recommended Citation
Risam, Roopika et al. 2024. The Pan-African Data Project. [Insert URL].
License
The Pan-African Data Project © 2024 by Roopika Risam et al. is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/