Structural Architecture and Evolutionary Dynamics of Inclusive Education and Social Justice Research

Abstract

This study investigates the structural architecture, theoretical traditions, and evolutionary trajectory of global scholarly production situated at the intersection of inclusive education and social justice. While prior reviews (e.g., Guzman & Trujillo, 2018) primarily examined fragmented sub-domains, this paper fills a critical gap by providing an integrated macro-level mapping of the field's structural shifts. Analyzing a refined dataset retrieved from Scopus (N = 1,387 peer-reviewed documents) using the Bibliometrix R-package (Biblioshiny), we trace the intellectual lineage, institutional networks, and emerging thematic frontiers that define this academic domain. The findings demonstrate a robust annual growth rate of 18.04%, alongside an international co-authorship rate of 15.72%, reflecting a distinct transition from localized, normative discourse on educational access toward integrated socio-spatial frameworks that interrogate systemic inequality, policy enactment, and institutional practice. Cross-border scientific collaboration remains heavily centered around high-income economies, though emerging hubs in the Asia-Pacific region and the Global South are increasingly reshaping the global knowledge topology. By synthesizing the core intellectual pillars of the field, this paper provides critical insights for educational leaders, policy developers, and scholars striving to establish equitable educational systems.

Classification JEL: I21, I24, I28, D63.

Paper type: Bibliometric analysis / Scientometric study.