DataShelter aims to decomplicate GDPR and make it more approachable to students, through the development of a digital educational intervention on GDPR practices, that uses engaging and innovative methods of teaching such as serious games, simulations and infographics. On a practical level, the students' employability will be enhanced, as for employers nowadays it is a major attribute to have people that are familiar and can work on the organisation's processes with GDPR in mind. Having a stable foundation, young employees can then go on to deepen their knowledge and apply it in different situations that may arise in the workplace. In addition, DataShelter will equip students with the capacity to understand the implications of GDPR on their own data as customers, users, students or employees, making them aware of their rights and choices in digital spaces, enhancing their digital readiness and resilience as citizens. DataShelter strives to include young people with challenging backgrounds and fewer opportunities as participants, to offer them access to this training and ways to improve their employability and digital skills.
Because of digital transformation and EU regulations like GDPR that come with it, the industry is constantly evolving and being shaped by fast paced changes. This means that the transition from school or university into the workforce can prove even more overwhelming and challenging for the students. Apart from their own area of work, graduates may find an additional stressor in being up to date with such important regulations that intrinsically affect their workplace and its processes. In addition, students may not be aware of what GDPR entails for their rights around their own data. In general, many citizens and professionals still believe that GDPR is an IT regulation, rather than one that has implications in most activities of individuals and organisations. DataShelter addresses these needs by providing an engaging, digital intervention that teaches students good practices related to GDPR in order to equip them with digital transformation and employability skills. By providing them with an immersive GDPR training, their confidence will be increased when applying and interviewing for jobs. The gamification elements that DataShelter offers are very attractive to this target group.