Bridging Traditions and Knowledge: A Bibliometric Review on Cultural Sustainability in Education

Abstract

Cultural sustainability in education is crucial for preserving cultural heritage and fostering societal resilience and inclusivity. Despite being recognised by institutions like UNESCO as a cornerstone of sustainable development, its integration into education remains fragmented. Current practices often focus on isolated cultural elements rather than adopting a systemic approach. They limit the potential of education to address the evolving dynamics of cultural traditions. A significant gap exists in developing holistic frameworks for embedding cultural sustainability into education. Existing methods frequently fail to adapt to the dynamic nature of cultural traditions. It reduces their relevance and practical application in modern education. This study employed a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the research landscape of cultural sustainability in education. By analysing publications from 2015 onward, it identified leading authors, universities, countries, documents, subject areas, journals and number of publications. The findings revealed a growing academic interest in cultural sustainability, with notable contributions from Nordic institutions and researchers. Publications frequently highlighted interdisciplinary intersections across social sciences, environmental studies and digital technologies. However, research gaps persist in underrepresented regions and in translating theoretical insights into actionable frameworks for education. The integration of cultural sustainability into education can safeguard cultural heritage while supporting global sustainable development goals, such as quality education (SDG 4) and sustainable communities (SDG 11). To achieve this, collaboration between academia, policymakers and local communities is essential to adapt educational practices to evolving cultural and technological contexts. Future research should prioritise underrepresented regions and emphasise interdisciplinary approaches that leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Longitudinal studies and international collaborations are necessary to develop frameworks linking cultural preservation with sustainable educational practices globally. By addressing these gaps, education can become a transformative tool for cultural sustainability and global development.