Terms and conditions

1. Astra Scientific Consultancy

Astra Scientific Consultancy ("Astra", "we", "us" or "our") offers voluntary non-commercial scientific mentorship, educational guidance and general research support.

The service is designed to help university students, postdoctoral fellows, academics, researchers, young scientists and startups in developing their own scientific expertise, research skills, analytical approaches and research ideas.

The service is provided voluntarily and free of charge except where other arrangements have been made in writing.

By requesting or accepting assistance from Astra, you ("you", "your" or "the user") acknowledge that you have read these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them.

2. Nature and Purpose of the Service

Astra may offer general scientific and educational guidance, which may include:

• scientific discussion and mentoring;
• scientific literature discussion and discussion of research concepts;
• guidance in research methodology and experimental design;
• general guidance in data analysis and statistical approaches;
• critical discussion and feedback on research ideas, papers, presentations or research plans;
• guidance in understanding scientific concepts, methods and approaches;
• general guidance in scientific communication and presentation;
• discussion of research strategy and research development; and
• general mentoring regarding academic and scientific development.

The purpose of the service is to assist the user in developing his or her own expertise and work.

Astra does not provide to carry out user’s academic, research, commercial or professional work on his or her behalf.

3. Academic Works and Research Integrity

Astra strives to maintain academic integrity and conduct of proper research.

Astra will not:

• undertake academic assessments (coursework, exams, dissertations, theses or any other academic work) on behalf of a student;
• supply works which can be submitted by students as their own if that would amount to academic misconduct;
• engage in activities facilitating plagiarism, impersonation, misrepresentation of authorship;
• fabricate, falsify or manipulate scientific data or research results;
• aid concealment of errors, misconduct and/or inappropriate research practices;
• intentionally create or manipulate results in order to achieve a certain effect; or
• engage in any other kind of academic and/or research misconduct.

Information, advice, explanations and discussions provided by Astra should not be misrepresented as independent works carried out solely by the user if such representation would be false and/or contradicting the requirements of the user's educational institution, employer, journal, funding agency or other relevant organisation.

Users are responsible for observing academic and research integrity policies of their institution, employer, funding agency, journal, professional organisation or research project.

4. User's Responsibility

Users are responsible for their:

• academic work;
• research choices;
• experimental methodology;
• data gathering;
• data analysis;
• results interpretation;
• scientific conclusions;
• publications and manuscripts;
• institutional or regulatory obligations; and
• decisions made based on information or advice provided by Astra.

Astra's advice and information is supposed to enhance users' scientific thinking skills but should not replace institutional supervision, professional consultation, ethical approval, regulatory approval and specialist opinion when required.

Users should confirm information, calculations, methodologies, references and conclusions independently.

5. No Guarantee of Results

Astra does not provide any guarantees concerning any academic, research, examination, publication, funding, employment, business or any other outcome.

In particular, Astra does not guarantee that:

• the results of research project will turn out a certain way;
• the experiment or analysis will be successful;
• the research will be published;
• the manuscript will be accepted by the journal;
• the application for funding will be successful;
• the assessment of academic work will yield a certain grade;
• the start-up or business project will turn out a certain way; or
• the information or advice will be suitable for each and every particular use.

Science inherently includes uncertainty, and users are responsible for assessing suitability of a particular methodology in their case.

6. Confidentiality

Astra will take reasonable precautions to ensure the security of any non-public information supplied by users in relation to the service.

Nevertheless, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed under all circumstances.

Users are not supposed to supply information where doing so would:

• violate a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement;
• contravene an employment or university obligation;
• disclose confidential information of another person or organisation without the prior consent of such third party;
• violate applicable data protection legislation;
• violate intellectual property rights; or
• violate any other law or contractual obligation.

It is recommended that users remove unnecessary confidential, commercially sensitive or personal information prior to uploading documents or research materials.

Where a user requires a non-disclosure or confidentiality arrangement, it should be concluded in writing prior to disclosing any confidential information.

7. Research Data and Sensitive Information

Users are expected to take particular precautions when supplying research materials.

Users must not provide any personal data, patient information, research-participant information, clinical information, confidential business information or other sensitive information unless they have sufficient legal authority and appropriate permissions to do so.

Wherever possible, users should:

• anonymise/pseudonymise information;
• delete names and other direct identifiers;
• remove unnecessary personal data;
• delete unnecessary confidential commercial data; and
• supply the least information reasonably necessary for the purpose of providing requested assistance.

Users will be solely responsible for the legality of their submissions of research data and other materials.

8. Data Protection and Privacy

Astra will endeavour to comply with applicable data protection and privacy regulations, including Irish and European data protection legislation.

Personal data will be processed only to the extent reasonably necessary for the proper functioning and administration of the service in accordance with applicable law.

For detailed information about the categories of personal data collected, purposes of processing, retention, user rights and other matters relating to the processing of personal data, see Astra's Privacy Notice.

Where applicable, information about cookies and other tracking technologies is provided in Astra's Cookie Notice.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

Users retain intellectual-property rights in intellectual property owned by them that they are permitted to submit to Astra.

Users must ensure that they have the appropriate rights and permissions to submit such material to Astra.

Astra does not acquire intellectual-property rights in the intellectual property owned by users simply because users submit that intellectual property to Astra.

However, Astra owns its pre-existing and independently created material, including:

• educational material;
• templates;
• instructions;
• methodology;
• framework;
• writing instructions;
• presentations;
• examples; and
• any other material independently created by Astra.

Nothing in these terms transfers intellectual-property rights owned by universities, employers, research institutions, funders, publishers or other third parties.

10. Startups and Commercial Projects

Astra can offer general scientific mentoring and educational guidance to startups and early stage commercial projects.

This does not, unless specifically set out in another written agreement, constitute:

• legal guidance;
• financial or investment guidance;
• tax guidance;
• accounting guidance;
• patent or intellectual-property legal guidance;
• regulatory guidance;
• clinical guidance;
• medical guidance;
• safety certification;
• regulatory approval;
• investment due diligence; or
• professional guidance from a regulated profession.

The users are responsible for obtaining any necessary legal, regulatory, financial, clinical or other professional advice when required.

11. Regulated, Clinical, Medical and Safety-related matters

In case the scientific guidance pertains to any regulated area, which includes, but is not limited to health care, medicine, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, diagnostic testing, biotechnology, laboratory safety, environmental safety or any other regulated activities, Astra's guidance shall be general scientific and educational guidance unless stated otherwise in another professional agreement in writing.

The users are responsible for obtaining all necessary:

• ethical approvals;
• institutional approvals;
• regulatory approvals;
• professional supervision;
• safety assessments;
• clinical oversight;
• licences;
• permits; and
• specialised professional advice.

Astra does not authorise a user to perform any activity just because that activity was discussed with Astra.

12. Independent from Universities and other Organisations

Astra Scientific Consultancy is independent of any university, research institution, or other organisations, unless indicated otherwise.

Astra Scientific Consultancy is independent of, not related to, not endorsed by, not supervised by, and not representing:

• a university;
• research institution;
• employer;
• government organisation;
• funding organisation;
• journal;
• professional organisation; or
• other organisation with which a user may be connected.

Guidance from Astra does not mean official academic supervision or institutional approval.

It is up to the users to adhere to the rules and requirements of their institutions, employers, or organisations.

13. Conflicts of Interest

Astra may decline or cease providing assistance in case of an actual, potential, or a perceived conflict of interest.

In such a case it may relate to a situation where providing assistance could:

• infringe the confidentiality of another user;
• infringe the integrity of research;
• result in a conflict of competing projects;
• relate to competing commercial interests;
• be a threat to the independence of Astra; or
• be a situation where providing assistance is not acceptable for any other reason.

In certain situations, Astra may require additional information from a user for identification and management of possible conflicts.

14. Accuracy and Relying on Information

Astra tries to give users information and guidance that is reasonable and scientifically responsible.

Nevertheless, scientific knowledge is developing, there can be errors in published research, and information provided by users may be either insufficient or incorrect.

Therefore, Astra makes no warranty that every statement, suggestion, reference, calculation, methodology, and other information given through this service will be complete, current, accurate and suitable for a specific purpose.

The users should independently verify important information and get appropriate professional advise.

15. Right to Refuse or End Assistance

Astra reserves the right to refuse, restrict, suspend, or end assistance in cases when:

• a request exceeds the educational or scientific purposes of the service;
• there is academic or research misconduct;
• there is an issue of legality, morality, safety, or regulation;
• there is an inappropriate sharing of confidential or personal information;
• the request creates a conflict of interest;
• assistance would require professional or regulated advice which is not offered by Astra;
• the request can create a reasonable threat of legal or any other kind of danger for Astra or another party; or
• the request is not appropriate in terms of the voluntary nature of the service.

Astra can stop providing assistance when further work becomes unreasonable.

16. Limitation of Liability

The service is provided voluntarily and at no cost.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Astra Scientific Consultancy will not be liable for the losses, damages, expenses, or other consequences related to users' reliance on the voluntary scientific guidance if these losses are the result of the user's actions, inactions, decisions or failure to receive necessary independent advice.

Users are responsible for evaluating and using the information obtained through the service.

These Terms do not intend to exclude or limit any liability that cannot be excluded or limited in accordance with the applicable law.

These Terms do not exclude or limit any rights and protections that cannot be excluded or limited according to the applicable law.

In case when the applicable law provides a higher standard of responsibility, this standard prevails.

17. Third-Party Materials and Services

The service can include references to third-party publications, datasets, software, websites, scientific papers, methods or any other third-party materials.

It does not mean that Astra endorses these materials or services.

Users are responsible for checking the conditions of usage of third-party materials including any terms, licences, copyrights, institution requirements or any other restrictions.

Astra does not guarantee the availability, accuracy or continuous work of third-party websites, software or services.

18. Acceptable Use

Users shall use the service in accordance with law and good practice.

Users shall not use the service for:

• the promotion of academic or research misconduct;
• submission of another person's work as his or her own;
• fabrication or falsification of scientific data;
• unauthorised acquisition of confidential information;
• infringement of intellectual property rights of another person;
• release of personal information without proper authorisation;
• avoidance of regulatory or institutional requirements;
• any other unlawful purposes; or
• intentional misleading of Astra or another person about the purpose of a project.

Astra may deny assistance where a request appears to be inconsistent with these requirements.

19. Modifications of the Service

Astra may change, suspend or terminate all or any portion of the voluntary service at any time.

Since the service is voluntary and free of charge, Astra makes no guarantees concerning the availability of assistance, as well as its level, frequency and duration.

20. Modification of the Terms

From time to time Astra may revise the Terms to account for changes in the service, relevant laws, technology and operating procedures.

The most recent version of the Terms will be made available on the respective Astra website or service platform.

The amended Terms will become effective as of the specified date.

21. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The Terms will be governed by and construed in accordance with Irish law, except insofar as the law of another jurisdiction applies mandatorily.

Subject to any mandatorily applicable rights or protections of a user under the applicable law, the courts of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes concerning the Terms and the service.

22. Severability

In case any provision of the Terms is found to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed and enforced only to the extent necessary to be legal and enforceable.

The remaining provisions will remain valid.

23. No Waiver

Astra's failure to enforce any provision of the Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of Astra's rights to enforce such provision or any other provision of the Terms in the future.

24. Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with the respective Privacy Notice, Cookie Notice and any other written agreement signed by a user, constitute the applicable terms and conditions regarding the use of the voluntary service.

Where there is a direct contradiction between these Terms and any other written agreement signed by a user, the latter shall prevail within the scope of the contradiction.

25. Contact

Inquiries related to the terms of this Agreement and the functioning of Astra Scientific Consultancy may be made at:

Astra Scientific Consultancy
E-mail: astrascientificconsultancy@hotmail.com

For inquiries regarding data protection issues, please see the relevant Privacy Notice for contact information.