Velhices conectadas: etnografando as narrativas de servidores/as públicos/as com sessenta anos de idade ou mais da UFG sobre o uso das plataformas digitais

Abstract

This research explored the analysis of narratives regarding the experiences of public servants aged sixty and older at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) facing the challenge imposed by the increasing digitization of the work environment, a phenomenon accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a world where population aging and technological advances intertwine, the research highlighted the complexity of these adaptations in social and professional spheres. My dissertation aims to analyze the narratives of older UFG servants regarding the challenges faced with the implementation of digital platforms in their university workplace. Methodologically, I adopt a qualitative approach, and the study combined methods and techniques such as surveys, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and anthropological narrative analysis. This strategy allowed for a comprehensive exploration of the experiences, perceptions, and challenges faced by these servants in the context of digital technologies. The analysis went beyond the technical aspects, seeking to understand the complex interactions between professionals and emerging digital platforms. Lastly, beyond documenting specific challenges, the ultimate purpose of this research extends to informing future policies and practices that address forms of digital inequality in specific institutional environments. In the analysis of interviews and other aspects of the field, it was possible to unveil that remote work highlighted overload, lack of structure, and the difficulty of balancing professional and personal life. Technological barriers, generational differences, and the importance of WhatsApp as an essential tool in the work context were emphasized. The diversity of reactions to digitization indicates the need for a comprehensive approach to promote inclusion. While some perceive challenges related to age, the majority of my interviewees claim not to feel explicit ageist prejudices. The research, finally, highlights the richness of perspectives of older individuals in the work context within the university environment, pointing to the urgency of measures to build institutional policies towards a more equitable community. More than a technical analysis, the results underscore the dynamic, agency, and resilience in the professional trajectories of these older servants.