Redefining Quality of Work Within New Configurations of Work and Mobility
Sub-Theme: Exploring New Configurations of Work and Mobility
Projects under this sub-theme explore how ADTs are reshaping migration, work and mobility. They examine both opportunities, such as remote work and digital nomadism, and risks tied to precarious platform-based employment.
Objective
Given the flexibility of gig work, combined with relatively limited oversight and regulation, it is important to understand how immigrants integrate this form of employment into their everyday lives and manage occupational balance across work, learning, and other responsibilities.
This project investigates two contrasting facets of digital labour: digital nomads working remotely and migrant workers engaged in platform-based jobs. Examining these opposing yet interconnected realities will generate new insights into contemporary understandings of quality of work.
Research question(s)
- How has the rise of gig economy work changed the way quality of work is perceived, defined, and assessed?
- Are there differences among workers and across sectors in terms of citizenship status, migration status, and workers' definitions/perception of quality of work?
- What new concepts are needed to make sense of these new work realities?
- How can we provide supports, work, and welfare policies for migrant workers in the platform economy as well as for digital nomads?
Methodology
This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, bringing together policy analysis, stakeholder interview, stakeholder consultations, and digital ethnography.
Status
The project is currently in progress, with research underway on both migrant workers in digital platforms and remote work. Several publications are in development, including some building on earlier ongoing work.
Expected completion date: August 2026
Outcomes
Publications:
Hari, C. K. (2025). Leveraging transnational remote work for inclusive sustainable development (external link) . Migration Policy Practice, 14(3). International Organization for Migration.
Triandafyllidou, A. (2025). Migration, Advanced Digital Technologies, and the Future of Work (external link) . International Migration Review, 0(0).
KC, H., & Triandafyllidou, A. (2025). Digital Nomadism and the Emergence of Digital Nomad Visas: What Policy Objectives Do States Aim to Achieve? (external link) International Migration Review, 0(0).
Mathurin, G., Lam, L., Al-Alaoui, S., & Triandafyllidou, A. (2025). A Fine Balance: Exploring Job Quality in Platform Work Between Migrants and Nonmigrants (external link) . International Migration Review, 0(0).
Dreher N., Triandafyllidou A. 2023. Digital Nomads: Toward a Future Research Agenda. Toronto Metropolitan Centre for Immigration and Settlement (TMCIS) and the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration. Working Paper No. 2023/04.
In progress:
KC, H. Leveraging Transnational Remote Work for Inclusive Sustainable Development. Migration Policy Practice, IOM.
KC, H., Dreher, N., & Triandafyllidou, A. Digital Nomads as Transnational Workers. In EE Handbook on Temporary Migration.
KC, H., Triandafyllidou, A., & Dreher, N. ‘Privilege’ in International Migration—An Analytical Framework: Digital Nomads as a Case in Point. In Privilege in Migration.
Past events and presentations:
- “The paradox of the digital nomad”, presented by Hari KC, Toronto, Canada, August 22, 2025
Keywords
Digital nomads; digital platforms; gig economy; migrant work; quality of work
