Whose Anthropocene? Disciplinary shifts and global asymmetries in a changing knowledge system

The term “Anthropocene” captures humanity’s profound impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems, and it has become central to understanding the relationship between human societies and the Earth system. This study investigates the evolution of Anthropocene research over the period 2001–2024, covering more than two decades since Paul Crutzen first introduced the concept. Using a multi-method computational framework integrating bibliometric indicators, network analysis, and spatial mapping, we analyzed 4575 articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Our analysis reveals not merely a quantitative growth of the field, but also a profound structural reorganization of its intellectual landscape. Early Anthropocene research was anchored in geology and Earth system science, with climate change and stratigraphic debates occupying central positions. Over time, however, keyword co-occurrence networks and disciplinary correlations indicate a shift toward a more heterogeneous structure. While institutions in the Global North dominate publication output, comparative network analysis reveals systematic differences in problem framing between developed and developing countries. We argue that the Anthropocene has evolved into a heterogeneous knowledge system characterized by both disciplinary divergence and novel forms of cross-disciplinary integration, shaped by persistent geopolitical asymmetries. In this context, the recent rejection of the Anthropocene as a formally defined geological epoch should be understood not as a setback, but rather as an opening for more reflexive and inclusive forms of knowledge production.