Ashutosh Kumar
Abstract This study offers a systematic, diagnostic review of securitization scholarship, an empirical audit of how the field’s knowledge has been produced, by whom, and with what structural consequences. The research provides a bibliometric and interpretative analysis of securitization studies from 1992 to December 2024. It utilizes Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny metrics alongside manual coding to map thematic developments, collaboration networks, and funding trends. Findings indicate significant growth accompanied by a consistent concentration in Western journals and institutions, regional disparities in publication, and funding frameworks that contribute to methodological uniformity. Analysis of keyword co-occurrence reveals a gradual movement beyond traditional focuses on state and war governance, highlighting new areas of interest. The research explicitly recognizes the limitations of the English-language literature and single-keyword searches, which likely downplay the contributions of non-Anglophone and alternative vocabulary. By placing these results within the context of critical security studies, the analysis suggests actionable steps towards methodological diversity and geographic inclusion that prioritize Global South viewpoints. The implications of this research for knowledge production emphasize the influence on which threats garner attention and resources, while also acknowledging the challenges in drawing causal links between securitization research and policy. This study provides a well-founded assessment of the discipline’s structure and offers a plan for a more inclusive research agenda that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).