Identity, Values and Educational Needs of Digital Media Workers. The Lecce European Capital of Culture 2019 Project

This research explores the framework of identity and value of self- employed knowledge workers involved in the Lecce European Capital of Culture project. This issue is analysed on the basis of the capability approach of Martha Nussbaum, who argues that developing capability, i.e. freedom to do and to choose otherwise has a greater educational value than producing previously established functions, promoting capacities means promoting spheres of influence and this is not the same getting people to operate a certain way (Nussbaum, 2011). Using three focus groups, we have explored the consequences of this flexible employment status on their social and emotional life, concentrating on two aspects. The first aim of the study is made up of an exploratory study of the professional practice of these workers to see if there is a particular ethos of their value systems and culture that they identify with. The second aim was to look into their personal satisfaction and see to what extent their academic background and professional training had informed and enriched their current activities. The focus of this study is not to judge the quality of their education, but rather an attempt to analyse the educational needs for this sector in the light of the professional experiences of these knowledge workers.