Social Network Analysis of Environmental Peacebuilding Scholars: Insights for Future of the Sub-Field

Jeremiah Asaka, Sam Houston State University (United States)

Environmental security field encompasses both a concern with conflict and peace potential of the environment. For decades, environmental security scholars have studied these two aspects side-by-side. However, the latter of the two has recently attracted considerable interest from scholars and practitioners alike resulting in the emergence of environmental peacebuilding sub-field. This paper seeks to analyze trends in authorship of environmental peacebuilding literature to inform the future direction of the sub-field. The paper is based on bibliometric data extracted from environmental peacebuilding scholarly literature (n=232) published between 2000 and 2024. The literature was sourced from Web of Science database. The paper employs social network analysis techniques specifically co-author analysis and performance analysis aided by Gephi. Preliminary findings show that collaboration is a key characteristic of EnPAx scholars. In addition, preliminary findings point to the sub-field being dominated by Global North scholars. The paper suggests ways to increase participation from Global South scholars.