Flying the skies to wire the seas: Subsea cables, remote work, and the social fabric of a media industry
BCNM faculty member Nicole Starosielski has recently published the research article, "Flying the skies to wire the seas: Subsea cables, remote work, and the social fabric of a media industry," which focuses on the commercial aviation boom in the 1960s and 70s, the subsea cable industry has relied on global air travel for network development, infrastructure maintenance, and market penetration.
The article also examines how COVID-19 disruptions forced a shift to remote work, challenging traditional travel practices and presenting an opportunity for carbon emission reduction. The study investigates the industry’s response to the “new normal” and its implications for mobility and sustainability. Starosielski and fellow researchers employ a media industries approach and conduct open-ended interviews with industry leaders to examine the potential balance between remote work benefits and essential in-person aspects, questioning whether the industry should return to pre-pandemic travel levels or embrace remote work’s ecological and financial benefits. The findings indicate that remote work suitability varies depending on project stage, involved personnel, and the existing social fabric.