Blockchain in education: a bibliometric study and future research agenda

Blockchain technology (BT) has the potential to transform a number of industries, including education. This bibliometric study examines the state of the field of research in education regarding blockchain, highlighting key developments, influential publications and emerging themes. The study uses a comprehensive dataset from Web of Science and Scopus to examine important trends, prominent writers, organizations, publications and cooperative networks to identify critical areas, including credential verification, academic record management and decentralized learning platforms, where blockchain offers unexplored opportunities. By analyzing 134 articles, we uncover a growing interest in blockchain’s applications within the education sector, with research clustered around technology, strategy, finance, broader implications and educational transformation. This study provides a roadmap for future research. The implications provide useful insights for policymakers, educators, and developers of technology. This study draws attention to the potential of blockchain to redefine educational paradigms by bridging technological innovation with pedagogical needs, and invites stakeholders to take part in shaping its transformative journey. However, limitations include data bias and the absence of temporal analysis. Future research should explore ethical and practical challenges, assess blockchain’s impact on education and contribute to a deeper understanding of its role in higher education.