A bibliometric analysis of sustainable development research in higher education institutions (HEIs): key trends, global collaborations and influential contributions (2015–2023)

ABSTRACT
This study presents a bibliometric analysis of sustainable development (SD) research in higher education institutions (HEIs) from 2015 to 2023, analyzing 1,122 articles using VOS viewer. Findings reveal a significant rise in publications, from 105 in 2019 to 263 in 2023, reflecting growing academic focus on sustainability in HEIs. The UK emerged as the most prolific contributor, with 5,450 citations, underscoring its schol�arly impact. Citation trends peaked at 3,745 in 2019 but declined thereafter. International collaborations and leading Q1 journals highlighted the field’s global engagement and research quality. The analysis emphasizes a rapidly expanding body
of research, driven by contributions from select countries. Limitations include restricted database sources and the need for broader publication avenues. The study concludes with recommendations for HEIs to strengthen sustainability initiatives through curricular integration of SD concepts, faculty development, cross-institutional partnerships, and policy reforms to institutionalize sustainable practices. These insights
offer a comprehensive overview of current research trends, guiding strategies to enhance HEIs’ role in advancing sustainability. The findings affirm the field’s academic
rigor while identifying areas for future exploration, such as expanding data sources and fostering interdisciplinary research. The study emphasises HEIs’ vital role in sus�tainable development and suggests measures to boost their influence.
IMPACT STATEMENT In higher education, sustainable development is essential to creating a more just and
environmentally friendly future. Global research trends in sustainable development at universities are thoroughly examined in this report. The most influential research is
identified, the evolution of sustainability-related studies is reviewed and patterns of international collaboration are highlighted through bibliometric analysis. The results
show that sustainability is becoming increasingly important in higher education, with some nations having the most academic contributions. However, there is still a
research gap in emerging economies because of a lack of financing and governmental support. To improve sustainability integration, this study highlights the necessity of
inclusive worldwide engagement in sustainability research and offers solutions, includ�ing faculty training, multidisciplinary programs and digital learning resources. By com�prehending these developments, universities, legislators and educators may create more effective plans to integrate sustainability into institutional policies and curricula and promote a more responsible and sustainable society.