Global Evolution of Research Productivity on Educational Policies Before and After COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented disruptions in education, catalyzing shifts in policy research worldwide. This study offers a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of educational policy scholarship from 2014 to 2024, focusing on changes in research output, thematic trends, and geographic patterns before and after the onset of COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science using the keywords “educational legislation,” “educational law,” “educational policy,” and “education regulation” while excluding terms related to COVID-19 or the pandemic to avoid bias. Data were filtered by open-access status, exported, and deduplicated. Bibliometric indicators were calculated to examine publication volume and top publishing countries. VOSviewer was employed for keyword co-occurrence analysis. Results: The findings reveal a notable increase in publication output after 2020, particularly in countries like the United States, Spain, and emerging contributors like Chile and Brazil. Co-occurrence analysis indicates heightened attention to digital learning, equity, and public health dimensions in post-pandemic research. Conclusions: The pandemic has amplified existing themes of equity and curriculum reform and introduced new focal points, including distance education and socioemotional well-being. These insights inform policymakers and researchers seeking to develop resilient and inclusive educational frameworks in a rapidly changing global context.