09 | The Science of Nomad Life: Identity, Freedom, and the Data Behind It

What does it really mean to be a digital nomad? In Episode 09 of the Nomad Summit Podcast, host Christoph Huebner sits down with two researchers who are working hard to answer that very question. Dr. Viktoriya Voloshyna from Thompson Rivers University in Canada and Dr. Aldijana Bunjak from the University of Stavanger in Norway are both part of an ambitious global research project seeking to understand the psychological, social, and organizational dimensions of the nomadic lifestyle.

This conversation is a fascinating deep dive into how academics define digital nomads, what values drive them, and what early findings are emerging from their large-scale survey and interview work.

What Even Is a Digital Nomad?

One of the core challenges both researchers face is defining who qualifies as a digital nomad. Is it someone without a home base, traveling perpetually? Or can it include remote workers who split their time between travel and a fixed location? Aldijana explains that for her current research project (e-Wanderlust), digital nomads are defined as people who change work locations at least three times a year and are self-employed or run their own business. That means full-time remote employees working for a single company – no matter how globally – are excluded.

But Viktoriya highlights that identity is more complicated than legal or logistical categories. Many people self-identify as digital nomads based on their values – like freedom, exploration, or autonomy – even if their circumstances don’t fit strict definitions. Her research digs into these identity negotiations and what they reveal about people’s deeper motivations and desires.

New Ways of Working and Living

Both Viktoriya and Aldijana come from backgrounds in management and organizational behavior. They see digital nomadism as part of a broader trend toward new ways of working – ones that defy traditional organizational structures and offer greater personal agency. Viktoriya points out that many nomads are driven by internal resistance to corporate life, seeking to reclaim control over how and where they work.

They also explore how digital nomads are adapting to this lifestyle emotionally and socially. Aldijana notes that relationships and a sense of belonging are major areas of concern – especially when constantly on the move. Her current research is starting to look more closely at how nomads maintain social connections, build community, and balance work and travel.

Early Research Insights from the e-Wanderlust Project

Aldijana shares some of the first descriptive findings from their global survey, which now includes responses from over 500 digital nomads. Among the interesting data points:

• Most common passport countries  include Australia, France, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.
• Preferred workspaces  are diverse: 45% work from their current home base, 70% use co-working spaces, and 60% work from cafés.
• Best work-life balance scores  came from digital nomads based in Vietnam and North Macedonia.
• Highest reported life meaning  was seen among respondents from Turkey and the United States.

The team is still analyzing this data in more depth and welcomes more survey participants. So: Respond to the survey right now!

The Debate: Is the Digital Nomad Community Growing or Plateauing?

Christoph brings up an important question being discussed at conferences and within the nomad community: Is the movement still growing? While some, like researcher Kaisu Koskela, suggest the trend has plateaued, Viktoriya disagrees. She argues that broader economic shifts – like job insecurity, rising AI adoption, and the breakdown of traditional career paths – are likely to push more people toward location-independent lifestyles in the future.

Still, the term “digital nomad” is being applied to a wide range of people, from early-stage travelers living off savings to well-established entrepreneurs and remote professionals. As the movement matures, understanding who these people are and what they want becomes more critical – not just for researchers, but for event organizers, governments, and businesses looking to support this evolving community.

Join the Research: Share Your Story

Both Viktoriya and Aldijana are actively recruiting more participants for their study. In addition to the ongoing survey, they’re conducting 1-hour interviews with nomads from around the world to get deeper qualitative insights into what drives them. If you’re interested in being part of their research, reach out via LinkedIn or connect through the Nomad Summit team.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the deeper layers of nomad life – not just where to go, but why people are going in the first place, and how they’re making it work long-term.

Sponsors Note: Global Nomad Pass

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Key Takeaways

• There’s still no universal definition of a digital nomad – and that’s a big challenge in both research and community conversations.
• Viktoriya and Aldijana are investigating nomad identity, motivation, and well-being from both psychological and management perspectives.
• Freedom remains a top value for most nomads, but how that’s defined varies widely.
• Their early survey data shows interesting contrasts in work-life balance and reported life meaning across countries.
• The community includes a wide spectrum – from early-stage experimenters to long-term veterans.
• Participation in their research is still open through surveys and interviews.

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