Invisible racism rethought: a globally oriented approach to anti-Chinese racism

This article explores the invisible educational space in which overseas Chinese grapple with and resist to anti-Chinese racism. Focusing on examining ethnic expressions and experiences of Chinese postgraduate research students (PGRs) in the post pandemic UK, it identifies institutional limitations to subject them to the BAME (Black and Asian Minority Ethnic) category that does injustice to the historical and everyday formations of their distinct (inter-)national, racial and ethnic identities. By responding to a rare opportunity in the post pandemic UK, this research is co-produced with Chinese PGRs who became open to reflecting on their racial, ethnic, and educational experiences in UK higher education (HE). I argue for anti-Chinese racism to be recognised as geopolitically infused and structurally embedded under the rising concerns of knowledge security and global mobility. Through the geopolitical lens, I conceptualise the recent development of racism experienced by Chinese PGRs, especially those from mainland China, as interlinked to politicised global events and border control practices, intersecting the higher education sector. This article contributes to understanding how the geopolitics of higher education impacts Chinese PGRs’ racialised experiences and navigation strategies in the global university system. It highlights the heterogeneity of Chinese educational migrants and calls for greater knowledge, sensitivity, and attention to support provisions on university campuses.