Skip to main content ITU
ITU
  • Dk
  • Vacancies
  • Press
  • ITU Alumni
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About ITU
  • Dansk
  • About ITU
x
  • Programmes
    • BSc Programmes
      • BSc in Global Business Informatics
      • BSc in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies
      • BSc in Software Development
      • BSc in Data Science
      • Applying for a BSc Programme
      MSc Programmes
      • MSc in Data Science
      • MSc in Digital Innovation & Management
      • MSc in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies
      • MSc in Computer Science
      • MSc in Software Design
      • MSc in Games
      • Applying for an MSc Programme
      Student Life
      • Meet some of our international students
      • Women in tech
      • Student Organisations at ITU
      • Labs for students
      • Practical Information for International Students
      • Study Start
      • Study and Career Guidance
      Guest Students
      • Who can be a Guest Student
      • ITU Summer University
      • Exchange Student
        • Become an exchange student at ITU
  • Professional Education
    • Master in IT
      • Master in IT Management
      Single Subjects
      • About single subjects
      Contact
      • Contact us here
  • Research
    • Departments
      • Business IT Department
      • Computer Science Department
      • Digital Design Department
      • Research Groups and Labs
        • Research Groups
        • Labs
      Research Centres
      • Centre for Computer Games Research
      • Center for Computing Education Research
      • Centre for Digital Welfare
      • Centre for Information Security and Trust
      • European Blockchain Centre
      • Research Centre for Government IT
      • Research Ethics and Integrity
        • Good Scientific Practice
      Selected Research Themes
      • Artificial intelligence
      • Big Data
      • Computer games
      • Blockchain
      • Digitalization
      • IT security
      • Find a Researcher
        • Faculty Search
      PhD Programme
      • About the PhD Programme
      • Available PhD Positions
      • PhD Courses
      • PhD Defences
      • Technical Reports
        • Technical Reports
  • Collaboration
    • Collaboration with students
      • Project collaboration
      • Project Market
      • Student worker
      • Project postings
      • Job and Project bank
      • Portraits of ITU graduates
      Employer Branding
      • IT Match Making
      • Hiring an ITU student or graduate
      • Make a post in the job bank
      Research collaboration
      • Licensing Opportunities
      • Open Entrepreneurship
      • Research collaboration
      • Industrial PhD
        • Hire an Industrial PhD
      Innovation and entrepreneurship
      • ITU Business Development
      • ITU Startup programme
      • Startup stories
  • Programmes
    • Homepage: Programmes
    • BSc Programmes
    • MSc Programmes
    • Student Life
    • Guest Students
    • Exchange students
  • Professional Education
    • Homepage: Professional Education
    • Master in IT
    • Single subjects
    • Contact
  • Research
    • Homepage: Research
    • Research Departments
    • Research Ethics and Integrity
    • Good Scientific Practice
    • Research Groups and Centers
    • Labs
    • Technical Reports
    • PhD Programme
    • Center for Digital Welfare
  • Collaboration
    • Homepage: Collaboration
    • Employer Branding
    • Collaboration with students
    • Research collaboration
    • Industrial PhD
    • Innovation and entrepreneurship
    • ITU Business Development
  • Shortcuts
    • Vacancies
    • Press
    • ITU Alumni
    • News
    • Events
    • Contact
    • About ITU
  • Dansk
GDPR – now as a poetry collection
ITU  /  Press  /  News from ITU  /  GDPR – now as a poetry collection

GDPR – now as a poetry collection

Much of the discussion about GDPR has revolved around how companies can become compliant and avoid fines. But what do the new EU rules on data protection really mean for us as individuals? Two ITU researchers encourage us to reflect on the consequences of GDPR with a new collection of poems based on the legal document itself.

Business IT Departmentprivacybig datadigital artRachel Douglas-JonesMarisa Cohn

Written February 19, 2019 8:04 AM by Vibeke Arildsen

In the spring of 2018, our inboxes were suddenly flooded with emails from companies about personal data and consent. The occasion was, of course, the new EU Data Protection Regulation – or GDPR – coming into effect on May 25.

At ITU's ETHOS Lab, GDPR was celebrated with a ‘Great Deletion Poetry Rave’. With the windows sealed off and all 260 legally dense pages of the regulation hung up on the walls, 50 researchers from ITU and other Danish universities started transforming the legal document into poetry by erasing its words. A similar event took place at the ETHOX Center at Oxford University.

Twenty of the poems that came out of these events have now been published in the poetry collection GDPR: Deletion Poems, edited by Rachel Douglas-Jones and Marisa Cohn, both researchers at ITU. The idea is to provide a new tool for studying the regulation and get us thinking about what our new rights really mean, says Rachel Douglas-Jones.

GDPR poetry

• GDPR: Deletion Poems is edited by Rachel Douglas-Jones and Marisa Cohn, co-heads of ETHOS Lab at the IT University of Copenhagen.

• If you are interested in a copy, please write to Rachel Douglas-Jones (please state what you would like to use the copy for): rdoj@itu.dk.

• The book will be launched at ETHOS Lab (room 3A30) at ITU on Friday, February 22 at 16-18. Read more and sign up here.

"In connection with the introduction of GDPR, we all received mails from companies wanting us to confirm newsletter subscriptions or inform us of our right to be deleted. It was all about compliance for companies,” she says.

»

GDPR is written in a very inaccessible, legal language and there are not many initiatives that allow people to understand the new rights that the regulation offers. The deletion poems are a way to approach the document in a playful and reflective way.

Rachel Douglas-Jones, Associate Professor at ITU

«
"However, GDPR is written in a very inaccessible, legal language and there are not many initiatives that allow people to understand the new rights that the regulation offers. The deletion poems are a way to approach the document in a playful and reflective way. ”

Erasure as protest

The method of creating poems by erasing bits of a text is called ‘erasure poetry’ and has previously been used by Chinese-British poet Sarah Howe and a wave of American poets in the wake of Donald Trump's inauguration as president.

"Erasure poetry is a good way of capturing or highlighting a central theme in a text, and it is often used as a kind of protest. So you can also see this as a way of protesting the inaccessibility of the GDPR. It is so inaccessible that it is necessary to delete 90 percent of the text before it makes sense," says Rachel Douglas-Jones.

Dette digt, som er et af de mest ordknappe i samlingen, tog hele 45 minutter at lave.

"Their nature is to communicate". The process of immersing oneself in the GDPR text and deciding which new meaning you want to create takes time. This poem, which is one of the shortest in the collection, took 45 minutes to create. The author is an anonymous participant at the GDPR rave in Oxford.

”Lawfulness Processing”, et af de mest kreative digte, kan læses både forfra og bagfra (anonym digter).

"Lawfulness Processing", one of the most creative GDPR poems, can be read forwards or backwards (anonymous author).

A tool for reflection

Despite the complexity of the GDPR, Rachel Douglas-Jones thinks it is highly relevant for ordinary people to dive into the regulation and reflect on what it means to them personally. 

About ETHOS Lab

In ETHOS Lab, researchers and students at ITU combine digital and anthropological methods in research project within Big Data, Internet of Things and AI.


"GDPR changes the basic rights we have in terms of data protection in Europe. It gives you the right to ask for information that is being held about you and to have information deleted - rights that weren’t previously there. They are important because they increase the rights of appeal that individuals have on the processing and use of their data, especially in cases where decisions are being made on the basis of that data,” she says.

She hopes that the poems will be used to start discussions on data protection and rights, for example in high schools and universities.

"The poems can be used as an teaching tool to give students a completely different perspective on what GDPR is and then afterwards think about who the ‘data controller’ is. How do you find a data controller that has data about you, how do you contact them, and how long might it take before you hear back from them?”

On the last pages of the book, readers have the opportunity to create their very own GDPR poem.

Further information

Rachel Douglas-Jones, Associate Professor, phone +45 7218 5058, email rdoj@itu.dk

Vibeke Arildsen, Press Officer, phone 2555 0447, email viar@itu.dk

News

New research project at ITU: How can we make digitalization of the public sector a citizen driven project?

New research project at ITU: How can we make digitalization of the public sector a citizen driven project?

April 16, 2021

The lack of user participation in the digitalization of the public sector in the Nordic countries blocks a truly successful digital transformation. The aim of the new research project CAPE is to investigate how to increase user involvement in the development of public e-services.

New IT University cofounded pioneer centre to bolster Danish artificial intelligence research

New IT University cofounded pioneer centre to bolster Danish artificial intelligence research

April 9, 2021

The pioneer centre, established by the IT University and four other Danish universities, has received DKK 352,4 million in funding to conduct artificial intelligence research focussed on social issues, design, and ethics.

Christina Hvid has been appointed new member of the Board of ITU

Christina Hvid has been appointed new member of the Board of ITU

March 19, 2021

The IT University appointment committee has appointed Christina Hvid, CEO of Molio, as new member of the Board of Directors from April 1, 2021.

Profile of professor Dag Svanæs: ”We’re technological by nature”

Profile of professor Dag Svanæs: ”We’re technological by nature”

March 17, 2021

In his homeland Norway, the professor at the Digital Design Department, Dag Svanæs, is known for wearing a tail. On Thursday March 25 he will hold his inaugural lecture about the integration of people and technology.

Public digitalisation: Citizens' need for informal IT support will be studied in new research project

Public digitalisation: Citizens' need for informal IT support will be studied in new research project

March 8, 2021

As a part of the digitalisation of the public sector, citizens are required to handle more tasks themselves in the contact with governmental institutions and authorities. This is not equally easy for everybody and many people need help. But where can they find that support? A new research project at the IT University of Copenhagen’s Center for Digital Welfare is going to investigate informal welfare work in the digitized state.

Profile of new professor: bridge-builder who serves the climate

Profile of new professor: bridge-builder who serves the climate

March 3, 2021

Steffen Dalsgaard has been appointed a professor at the Department for Business IT at the IT University of Copenhagen and has, among other things, the ambition to generate and disseminate knowledge of how technological climate initiatives work.

ITU to coordinate research project on the use of digital police tools

ITU to coordinate research project on the use of digital police tools

February 9, 2021

Five European universities, a research centre and a trade union for IT professionals have launched a three-year research project on the consequences of the police's increasing use of big data, face recognition, mass surveillance and predictive analytics.

ITU researcher granted to investigate how to verify that our private data really is private

ITU researcher granted to investigate how to verify that our private data really is private

February 5, 2021

When our data are successfully kept private, it becomes a challenge to investigate data misuse. Independent Research Fund Denmark has awarded Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen, Bernardo David, a Sapere Aude grant to find out how to verify that our sensitive data is not misused while keeping them private.

The Danish Data Protection Agency: IT University of Copenhagen has acted correctly in relation to the use of ProctorExam

The Danish Data Protection Agency: IT University of Copenhagen has acted correctly in relation to the use of ProctorExam

February 4, 2021

In the spring 2020 the ITU made use of the programme ProctorExam, which is a monitoring tool used for monitoring written home exams. In connection with this, The Danish Data Protection Agency decided to examine whether the ITU had complied with the Data Protection Regulation rules when using ProctorExam. The Danish Data Protection Agency has now made its decision in this matter and has concluded that the ITU’s processing of personal data and the use of ProctorExam have taken place in accordance with the rules on data protection.

ITU recruits two international researcher profiles with Start Package from Novo Nordisk Foundation

ITU recruits two international researcher profiles with Start Package from Novo Nordisk Foundation

January 27, 2021

Two uniquely talented, international researchers will be moving to Denmark to continue their careers at the IT University of Copenhagen. The recruitments are supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation's new Start Package grant programme.

Roberta Sinatra awarded a Velux Foundation grant to fight discriminatory algorithms

Roberta Sinatra awarded a Velux Foundation grant to fight discriminatory algorithms

January 25, 2021

Algorithms used for ranking publications and evaluating researchers on the basis of their citations are far from fair. The Velux Foundation has awarded associate professor, Roberta Sinatra, the Young Investigator grant to pursue her ambition of creating the foundation for better algorithms and metrics.

ITU ESPRESSO: What lessons can the global tech hubs pass on to Danish businesses?

ITU ESPRESSO: What lessons can the global tech hubs pass on to Danish businesses?

January 21, 2021

Tune in for another insightful coffee break with ITU ESPRESSO: On Tuesday 26 January, we will be presenting another live streamed talk and welcome Associate Professor, Lars Rune Christensen as guest speaker. The talk will focus on the lessons that the global tech hubs can offer Danish companies.

ITU researcher granted twice to develop sustainable software

ITU researcher granted twice to develop sustainable software

January 18, 2021

Associate professor at the IT University of Copenhagen Pinar Tözün has been awarded with two grants for her research in solutions for sustainable growth in data science.

New report: Cybersecurity is underprioritized in Danish companies

New report: Cybersecurity is underprioritized in Danish companies

January 12, 2021

Danish companies consider cybersecurity important, but at the same time underprioritize it, shows a new report by researchers at the IT University of Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark. Part of the explanation is that senior managers have little knowledge about the cybersecurity threats, say the researchers behind the report.

ITU's "Blockchain Professor" gets international top rankings

ITU's "Blockchain Professor" gets international top rankings

December 22, 2020

According to two international rankings, Professor Roman Beck is among the most important researchers in his field.

Notification of security breach

Notification of security breach

December 16, 2020

A file containing personal information about censors and a number of employees has been accessible on one of ITU's internal network drives. The security breach has been reported to the Danish Data Protection Agency, and the persons affected have been notified.

Study: Female researchers rival men in productivity – but have shorter careers

Study: Female researchers rival men in productivity – but have shorter careers

November 30, 2020

A comprehensive study of the careers of 1.5 million researchers shows that women and men on average produce the same number of scientific articles annually, but that women tend to leave their research careers earlier. According to ITU researcher Roberta Sinatra, co-author of the study, the study should inspire decision-makers to take a closer look at the reasons why women leave academia.

The IT University plays a vital role in the newly established National Centre for Research in Digital Technologies

The IT University plays a vital role in the newly established National Centre for Research in Digital Technologies

November 26, 2020

The Innovation Fund Denmark has granted DKK 100 million for the establishment of a national research centre in digital technologies, led by a consortium of seven Danish universities and the Alexandra Institute.

An insightful coffee break: ITU launches a line of talks on digital transformation

An insightful coffee break: ITU launches a line of talks on digital transformation

November 12, 2020

In a new series of live streamed talks, the IT University will present new perspectives on IT to professionals working with digitalisation and transformation. Under the headline ITU ESPRESSO, the series will go off as a line of concentrated coffee breaks. These talks will keep you abreast and expand your knowledge of what is on the future-facing agenda of digitalisation.

ITU launches action plan for gender diversity among employees

ITU launches action plan for gender diversity among employees

November 12, 2020

With a new action plan, the IT University of Copenhagen will work systematically and strategically to promote gender diversity by ensuring equal opportunities for all employees.

Contact us

Phone
+45 7218 5000
E-mail
itu@itu.dk

All contact information

Web Accessibility Statement

Find us

IT University of Copenhagen
Rued Langgaards Vej 7
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Denmark
How to get here

Follow us

ITU Student /
Privacy /
EAN-nr. 5798000417878/
CVR-nr. 29 05 77 53

This page is printed from http://itu.dedicated.cohaesio.net/