Privacy policy

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow School of Art and Queen Margaret University Edinburgh are working together on SHIFT to create a resource available to all budding creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists, musicians, producers and performers. We collect some of your data and feedback to help us improve the programme in years to come, to allow you to continue to access SHIFT resources, and to report to our funders and the Scottish Government.

What data do we collect?

SHIFT collects the following data:

  • SHIFT application data
  • Personal identification information when you register on the site (Name, email address, etc.)
  • Photos and video from the SHIFT events
  • Feedback from participants of SHIFT events
  • Feedback about the impact of SHIFT on your career as a creative professional
  • Anonymous data about website traffic

How do we collect your data?

You directly provide SHIFT with most of the data we collect. We collect data and process data when you:

  • Register online or apply for a place at a SHIFT event.
  • Voluntarily complete a survey or provide feedback
  • Use or view our website via your browser’s cookies.

How will we use your data?

SHIFT collects your data so that we can:

  • Process your application and manage your account.
  • Email you with news or information that might be of use to you
  • Promote SHIFT programmes in the future
  • Analyse who is attending SHIFT in order to improve the programme 
  • Feed back to our funders and to HESA (Higher Education Statistics Authority)

If you agree, SHIFT will share your data with our partner companies for the purposes outlined above

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

The Glasgow School of Art

Queen Margret University Edinburgh

Creative Entrepreneurs Club (SHIFT delivery partner)

Snootie Studios (SHIFT delivery partner)

Funding bodies such as Knowledge Exchange Innovation Fund & Scottish Funding Council

Higher Education Statistics Authority 

How do we store your data?

SHIFT securely stores your data on the servers of each of the partners mentioned above. Each of these servers is located in the EU and complies with GDPR requirements.

SHIFT will keep your data for:

  • Successful applications are held  – Current year plus 2 years 
  • Unsuccessful apps – Current year 
  • Once this time period has expired, we will delete your data.

Cookies

Cookies are text files placed on your computer to collect standard Internet log information and visitor behaviour information. When you visit our websites, we may collect information from you automatically through cookies or similar technology. For further information, visit allaboutcookies.org.

How do we use cookies?

SHIFT uses cookies in a range of ways to improve your experience on our website, including:

  • Keeping you signed in
  • Understanding how you use our website

What types of cookies do we use?

Functionality – SHIFT uses these cookies so that we recognise you on our website and remember your previously selected preferences. These could include what language you prefer and the location you are in. A mix of first-party and third-party cookies are used.

How to manage cookies

You can set your browser not to accept cookies, and the above website tells you how to remove cookies from your browser. However, in a few cases, some of our website features may not function as a result.

Privacy policies of other websites

The SHIFT website contains links to other websites. Our privacy policy applies only to our website, so if you click on a link to another website, you should read their privacy policy. 

What are your data protection rights?

SHIFT would like to make sure you are fully aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user is entitled to the following:

  • The right to access – You have the right to request SHIFT for copies of your personal data. We may charge you a small fee for this service.
  • The right to rectification – You have the right to request that SHIFT correct any information you believe is inaccurate. You also have the right to request SHIFT to complete the information you believe is incomplete.
  • The right to erasure – You have the right to request that SHIFT erase your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that SHIFT restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to object to processing – You have the right to object to SHIFT’s processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to data portability – You have the right to request that SHIFT transfer the data that we have collected to another organisation, or directly to you, under certain conditions.

If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us at our email: write to us: s.edwards2@rcs.ac.uk

Changes to our privacy policy

SHIFT keeps its privacy policy under regular review and places any updates on this web page. This privacy policy was last updated on Thursday 18th June 2026.