How many digial nomads are there and who really qualifies as a digital nomad?

In this episode, Christoph Huebner sits down with researchers Aldijana Bunjak (University of Stavanger, Norway) and Viktoriya Voloshyna (Thompson Rivers University, Canada) to explore what the data says about nomad identity, motivation, and lifestyle.

From fieldwork at Bansko Nomad Fest to global surveys with over 100 researchers involved, this conversation dives deep into the psychological and management perspectives on digital nomadism. They unpack the blurry boundaries of self-identification, surprising early findings about work-life balance, and why the question "Where's home?" is trickier than it sounds.

Key Takeaways:

• There's still no single definition of a digital nomad – researchers, nomads, and governments all interpret it differently.
• Viktoriya and Aldijana are studying the intersection of identity, values, and work freedom within nomadic lifestyles.
• The biggest motivator for many digital nomads? Not money or career – freedom.
• Their data (from 500+ nomads so far) shows unexpected insights into work-life balance, with Vietnam and North Macedonia topping that list.
• Nomads may work from cafés or co-working spaces, but many also value comfort and routine more than stereotypes suggest.
• The community isn't growing as explosively as once thought, but it is evolving – and attracting deeper academic interest.
• Viktoriya and Aldijana are still looking for participants for their in-depth interviews – so get involved if you'd like your story heard.

Relevant Links:

• Viktoriya Voloshyna on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoriya-voloshyna-18bb6195/
• Aldijana Bunjak https://no.linkedin.com/in/abunjak
• Bansko Nomad Fest https://banskonomadfest.com/
• Nomad Summit https://nomadsummit.com
• The Radio Vagabond (Palle Bo) https://theradiovagabond.com/link-tree
• Episode produced by RadioGuru https://radioguru.co.uk