Three Decades of Research on Social Welfare, Equity, and Inclusion

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive quantitative synthesis of the scientific literature on social wellbeing, equity, and inclusion accumulated over more than three decades (1995–2026). Despite the rapid growth of scholarship in this domain, existing literature lacks a systematic, reproducible mapping that integrates macro-structural trends with micro-level thematic evolution. To bridge this empirical gap, we analyze a refined corpus of 1,222 peer-reviewed documents retrieved from international citation databases using R-bibliometrix (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer, applying classical informetric principles including Bradford's and Lotka's laws. The findings reveal a marked structural concentration where a nucleus of 56 core journals accounts for one-third of the total published literature under a super-Bradfordian pattern. Furthermore, longitudinal source dynamics highlight a major shift toward open-access and multidisciplinary outlets after 2015. High-impact scholars and milestone studies bridge pedagogical equity, mental health literacy, and systemic wellbeing. Ultimately, this synthesis delineates the intellectual architecture of the field and identifies emerging cross-disciplinary frontiers for researchers and policy architects.

Classification JEL: I24; I31; I14; D63; C88.

Paper type: Quantitative bibliometric research