'The distance between us': A comparative examination of the technical, spatial and temporal dimensions of the transnational social relationships of highly skilled migrants

Ryan, Louise; Klekowski Von Koppenfels, Amanda; Mulholland, Jon

Abstract

© 2014 Global Networks Partnership & John Wiley & Sons Ltd. In this article, through comparing two highly skilled migrant groups in London, we explore how new types of information and communication technologies (ICTs) shape the form and content of transnational practices through time and space. In so doing, we aim to contribute to several debates in the field of migration studies. First, our findings highlight enduring practical constraints emanating from everyday routines and responsibilities, thus questioning the extent to which ICTs may be shrinking the globe and freeing people, even highly skilled ones, from spatial and temporal fixity. Second, we challenge assumptions about the ease of transnationalism by exploring the range and complexity of long-distance interpersonal relationships and their dynamics over time. Third, by focusing on a comparison of relatively affluent, highly skilled migrants, we question the usefulness of the category of 'middling migrants'. Our findings illustrate that, within this general and wide ranging category, there are diverse experiences, expectations and opportunities of maintaining contact with friends and family at home.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Oct 24, 2016
• Journal: Global Networks
• Print ISSN: 1470-2266
• Electronic ISSN: 1471-0374
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 198-216
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/glob.12054
• Keywords: ICTs, distance, transnational relations, highly skilled, American migrants, French migrants
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/826381
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/glob.12054
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: ‘The distance between us’: A comparative examination of the technical, spatial and temporal dimensions of the transnational social relationships of highly skilled migrants, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/glob.12054. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Oct 24, 2016