Multicultural Insights Ltd. is a consulting firm that provides research and analytics services to “international organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses.” Multicultural Insights claims to research topics on left-of-center policy positions on immigration and “gender equality.” ¹

Publications

In 2024, Multicultural Insights produced a “Study of Chinese Graduate Students in the United States: A Multidimensional Survey​” report based on roughly 1,252 survey responses Chinese graduate students on whether they stay in the United States or return to China after completing their studies. The study claims it was done “during a period of declining Chinese student enrollment in the U.S.” ²

The study was conducted in partnership with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG). ² The watchdog group U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has previously claimed that CCG is a “United Front-affiliated Beijing think tank.” ³

Funding

In 2023, George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) donated a $100,000 grant to Multicultural Insights for the purpose of educating “…the public by supporting research on the return migration intentions of Chinese graduate students in the USA.” ^{4 5}

Clients and Services

Multicultural Insights claims to specialize in consulting for population groups such as “migrants, internally displaced persons, refugees, LGBTQIA, and diasporas.” ¹ The firm claims that it provides services for clients such as quantitative and qualitative research, statistical consulting, capacity building for research processes, research design, standardization of data and research procedures, research design, and similar practices. ¹

Clients of the firm include Women’s World Banking, Accion, the CDC Foundation, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Capital Development Fund, the University of California San Diego, and the Caribbean Male Action Network (CariMan). ¹

Leadership

Neli Esipova is the founder and CEO of Multicultural Insights. Prior to founding Multicultural Insights Esipova worked at consulting group Gallup and was a founding member of the Gallup World Poll. ⁶

Igor Himelfarb is the chief methodologist and lead statistician for Multicultural Insights. Prior to this, he worked at consulting group Gallup. ⁶

1. “Mission-Driven Research: Data Analysis.” Multicultural Insights, October 17, 2024. https://multiculturalinsights.net/.
2.  “Study of Chinese Graduate Students in the United States: A Multidimensional Survey​.” Multicultural Insights, October 17, 2024. https://multiculturalinsights.net/?p=1364.
3.  Lenczycki, Philip. “EXCLUSIVE: Communist Influence Network Is Deeply Involved With Nonprofit Connecting China To US Heartland.” Daily Caller, February 21, 2024. https://dailycaller.com/2024/02/21/china-us-heartland-communist-influence/?pnespid=u_R2BTtKaKYL0OLepz6_AZiAohGpX4tnJLK9nLNn9B5mN2brNnnOtpXZOpECRpdytqE68Z6n
4. “Grants and Fellowships from the Open Society Foundations.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants.
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF; multiple). Foundation to Promote Open Society. 2008-2018. Part I. Line 26.
6. “Our Team.” Multicultural Insights, April 30, 2024. https://multiculturalinsights.net/?page_id=110.