Tracking sustainability in higher education policy: a systematic literature review of trends

Purpose This study aims to review the literature on sustainability in higher education policy over the period of 2017–2022, building on a previous review that ended in 2016. Design/methodology/approach A total of 63 articles that met the selection criteria were examined using a multi-stage approach. The first stage involved initial categorisation of the articles based on journal distribution, temporal and geographical trends, methodological approaches and scale of research focus. A content analysis of the articles followed, resulting in the generation of thematic findings. Findings The literature review findings suggest that studies from the regions of Oceania, Northern America and Europe dominate the English language Sustainability in Higher Education policy literature. In terms of a whole institution approach to sustainability, there is more research focus on governance, campus operations and education domains, respectively, and less focus on the areas of research and community outreach. Overall, the findings suggest a reduction in research gaps identified in the prior review. Research limitations/implications The study used specific search criteria, and article searches were performed in Scopus and ERIC databases. The review excludes non-English-language papers, non-peer-reviewed publications and articles predating 2017. Originality/value This study provides an overview of the current research trends regarding sustainability in higher education policy, highlighting research progress and identifying the areas requiring more attention to address the gaps.