Education for sustainable development: analyzing research trends in higher education for sustainable development goals through bibliometric analysis

Education is a critical component in the advancement of global sustainable development. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in research output within higher education institutions dedicated to this pivotal area. This study aims to identify emerging trends in higher education research on sustainable development goals and examine the specific focus areas in which researchers are engaged. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted on scholarly articles on education for sustainable development (ESD), utilizing data from the Scopus database. 2221 documents were extracted from the database of scientific articles published between 1990 and 2023. After a thorough screening, 1013 articles met the eligibility criteria and were subsequently analyzed using the R-Studio software platform. The findings indicate a significant increase in scientific output in this area since 2018, peaking in 2022 and then declining in 2023. The most prominent journal in this field is Sustainability, published in Switzerland. Gericke is identified as the most prolific author, followed by notable contributions from Leal and Kopnina, who have the highest H-index impact. Regarding publication volumes, China, Spain, and Germany are the leading countries. Thematic analysis revealed a predominant emphasis on the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development, with a comparatively less focus on social sustainability. This imbalance has significant implications, as social sustainability is critical to achieving societal stability. The findings of this research highlight the necessity for a comprehensive approach to higher education research that considers social sustainability, intending to promote a more holistic and enduring sustainability in the future.