(Im)possible categorisation? Using multiple correspondence analysis on ‘mixed’ ethnic categories in UK higher education

Despite the growing number of mixed ethnic populations in higher education in the UK, there is a lack of information about their complex multiethnic experiences. This paper aims to address the issue of racial categorisation from an intersectional multiethnic perspective, enhancing our understanding of mixed ethnic concerns and showcasing the richness of the various hidden subcategories. We adopt a mixed methods approach to multiethnic analysis, using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to analyse a subsample of postgraduate-educated individuals (N = 3,650) from the Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS). We thematically compare these findings with insights from nine interviews with self-identified mixed ethnic postgraduate researchers and early career researchers. We show that the prevailing norm of monoracism in British society has overlooked the mixed ethnic category in both quantitative and qualitative research. Therefore, we advocate for more inclusive multiethnic approaches that accurately represent the complex nuances within all identities, particularly mixed ethnic identities.