'South-Working': Return mobilities and remote work during COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Anthropology of (im)mobility
• Digital Sociology
• Mobility Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional work and mobility patterns globally.
• A growing number of professionals have adopted remote work, enabling a return to their hometowns.
• This phenomenon, termed 'South-Working,' involves relocating to less urbanized areas while maintaining employment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of professionals undertaking 'South-Working' in Italy post-pandemic.
• To analyze how digital remote work and new mobility strategies influenced life priorities and routines.
• To examine the transformative impact of the pandemic and digital technologies on mobility regimes and the concept of (im)mobility.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Northern Sicily.
• Online video interviews with professionals.
• Observation of social media platforms and co-working spaces.

Main Results:

• The pandemic prompted a reevaluation of life priorities and a shift in mobility routines for remote professionals.
• Digital remote work facilitated a return to hometowns, challenging traditional notions of work-life balance.
• The study identified new mobility strategies and a redefinition of 'essential' versus 'non-essential' mobilities.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic and digital advancements have significantly altered mobility regimes and the boundaries of work and life.
• South-Working offers a new perspective on the evolving dynamics of work and mobility in the digital era.
• Established categories of (im)mobility require re-evaluation in light of these contemporary transformations.