Service-learning as a strategy for inclusive education in higher education. A bibliometric analysis

This study analyzes publication trends on Service-Learning (SL) and inclusive education in higher education through bibliometric, thematic, and conceptual methods. SL has emerged as an innovative teaching strategy that fosters inclusion by linking academic learning with social engagement and equity.Using 985 papers from the Web of Science and the Bibliometrix package in R, the study examines publication patterns, influential authors and sources, scholarly collaborations, key themes, and emerging challenges. Findings indicate that while SL in inclusive education is still developing, it shows multidisciplinary growth—reaching fields like psychology, public health, and gender studies. This reflects a more critical and integrative approach, addressing pedagogical, social, and structural dimensions, and positioning SL as a transformative tool with academic and societal impact. It thus consolidates itself as a key tool in higher education, with academic and social impact, oriented towards the formation of inclusive competences and addressing contemporary challenges from a transformative perspective.