Emerging paradigms in sociology education research: a systematic analysis of intellectual and thematic trajectories

This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric and thematic synthesis of sociology education research spanning nearly four decades (1987–2025). By mapping the field's intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and collaboration patterns, it identifies established areas of scholarship alongside emerging directions such as AI-mediated learning, decolonial pedagogy, statistical literacy, and climate-conscious education. The findings offer evidence-based guidance for researchers, educators, curriculum developers, and policy makers seeking to strengthen sociology education through methodological diversity, international collaboration, and greater inclusion of non-Western perspectives. This work establishes a robust conceptual baseline for future research and contributes to the development of a more globally relevant, innovative, and empirically grounded sociology education scholarship.