Mapping the International Water Research Landscape: A Bibliometric Analysis of Current Trends, Research Priorities and Future Directions

This study applied established bibliometric methods, in combination with novel performance metrics, to analyse data from over 16,000 articles published between 2020 and 2024 in 19 industry-leading journals from the International Water Association Publishing catalogue. In terms of research output and collaboration, the study reveals the dominance of high-income countries from Europe, North America, and South-Eastern Asia, and suggests that these patterns can be largely explained by economic and institutional disparities among nations. The study also identifies current global research priorities, explores differences in the research agendas of various regions, and highlights potential knowledge gaps that should be prioritised in support of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The results show that the global research space is currently dominated by themes related to climate change, water quality, contamination, treatment, and supply. Emerging topics include the application of machine learning and the development of more sustainable and resource-efficient technologies. The findings also confirm the need for transdisciplinary research that integrates the socio-economic and political dimensions of sustainable water resources management. This review thus provides critical insights into the current state of water-related research, allowing academics and practitioners to situate their own work and interests within the context of the global research landscape. • Global water-related research is dominated by contributions from high-income countries, while researchers from low-income countries remain underrepresented. • Prominent global research themes include climate change, water quality, treatment technologies, and supply. • There is a need for transdisciplinary research that includes the social, political, and economic dimensions of sustainable water resources management.