Back to the future: fifty years of Studies in Higher Education and emerging directions

As Studies in Higher Education reaches its fiftieth anniversary, this article examines how the journal has shaped, and been shaped, by the field over time. This paper combines an umbrella review of 56 reviews with a bibliometric analysis of more than 3,000 articles published since 1976, tracing the evolution of research themes, theoretical influences, and methodological orientations over five decades. The co-citation analysis shows a gradual shift from early work on teaching and learning to broader debates on academic identities, governance, and the changing role of universities in society. The bibliographic coupling analysis identifies six themes: (1) the well-being and career paths of academics, (2) the rise of hybrid knowledge ecosystems shaped by digital tools and AI, (3) the emotional and motivational dimensions of student engagement, (4) the formation of identities within academic spaces, (5) the developmental nature of employability, and (6) persistent gender inequalities in academic careers. Through this ‘Back to the Future’ perspective, this article honours the journal’s contributions while highlighting new pathways for higher education research.