At ESA Scotland, we believe that data is not just numbers. It is also cultural representation and a reflection of the researchers and policies that use them. It is unique in its ability to both create and erase groups, identities, and experiences.

We advocate for culturally sensitive data collection to accurately and best represent the communities we support. With East and Southeast Asian people being given limited options in national data collection (such as the MET Police using the outdated terminology of “Oriental” or the National Census limiting us to being either “Chinese” or “Asian Other”), researchers and policymakers are overlooking and often ignoring the diversity of our community and its respective needs. We desperately need better terminologies and nuance in data collection, not just for East and Southeast Asian representation, but for better quality data, improved cultural understanding, and improved policies and research.