Identity and Political Participation among First-Generation Immigrants from Mainland China in the UK

This study embarks on a groundbreaking examination of first-generation mainland Chinese immigrants' identity and political participation in the UK. Historically, there's been a notable disconnection between this demographic and both the UK's mainstream society as well as the traditional Chinese community established there. Despite the critical nature of these dynamics, academic attention to this group has been surprisingly limited. Addressing this scholarly gap, this research aims to enrich existing literature by highlighting the diversity within the UK's Chinese community, challenging the oversimplified view of it as a homogeneous group. Utilizing visual methodologies of auto-photography and photo-elicitation interviewing alongside the theoretical framework of social identity complexity theory, this study presents a novel approach. It seamlessly merges the exploration of identity with political participation. This methodological fusion allows for a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the complex identities and political involvement of the Chinese community in the UK. This approach marks a significant departure from previous studies that typically treated identity and political participation as separate entities. The study offers a sophisticated, multifaceted insight into the unique experiences and societal engagement of this immigrant community, contributing significantly to the broader discourse on immigration, identity, and political integration in multicultural societies.