Trends in Educational Leadership Research in the Global South: A Bibliometric and Systematic Literature Review Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijonse.5948Keywords:
Educational leadership, Global South, bibliometric analysis, , indigenous leadership, school leadership research, equity in educationAbstract
This study investigates the evolution, thematic directions, and scholarly impact of educational leadership research in the Global South through dual methodology, bibliometric analysis, and systematic literature review (SLR). Analyzing peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024 from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC, the study traces publication trends, highlights regional and institutional contributors, and identifies methodological patterns and thematic concentrations. Despite increased output from countries like India, Nigeria, South Africa, and Brazil, findings reveal that Global South research remains underrepresented in international discourse due to structural barriers and publication inequalities. The thematic synthesis indicates dominant focuses on leadership preparation, distributed and transformational models, equity, and governance challenges, while areas such as crisis leadership, digital leadership, and gender remain underexplored. The study advocates for the decolonization of knowledge production, promotion of South–South collaboration, and incorporation of indigenous leadership frameworks. It calls for more inclusive, contextually grounded, and policy-relevant research agendas to shape the future of educational leadership globally.
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