Chinese scholars working in England say microaggressions make them feel unwelcome, with many saying they are considering leaving their universities as a result, according to a new study.
A paper investigating Chinese academics’ experiences at English universities has found that 85 per cent say they have experienced or witnessed microaggressions.
Ming Cheng, professor of higher education at Sheffield Hallam University, conducted interviews with 41 Chinese academics at four universities in England to investigate the potential impact on their professional development.
Chinese nationals represent the largest group of international academics in the UK, and Cheng chose to focus on microaggressions because she felt it was a topic overlooked in the broader conversation about racial discrimination.
Cheng explained that there are three types of microaggressions: verbal, behavioural and environmental.
