Knowledge Map of Digital Activism and Policy Change: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions

Irwan Ade Saputra; Indri Syawali Ramadhani

doi:10.55681/seikat.v4i2.1638

Authors

Irwan Ade Saputra Department of Government Science, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Hasanuddin University
Indri Syawali Ramadhani Department of Government Science, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Hasanuddin University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55681/seikat.v4i2.1638

Keywords:

Digital Activism, Social Media, Policy Change, Public Policy, Bibliometric Analysis, Science Mapping

Abstract

This study examines the intellectual structure and evolution of research on digital activism and policy change through a bibliometric analysis of 127 Scopus-indexed articles published between 2015 and 2025. Using R-Biblioshiny, the analysis integrates indicators of publication trends, citation patterns, geographical and institutional contributions, and thematic evolution to move beyond descriptive mapping toward deeper interpretive insights. The findings reveal a rapid growth in scholarly output, particularly after 2020, reflecting the increasing centrality of social media in shaping political discourse and policy processes in the digital era. The United States and the United Kingdom emerge as dominant contributors, while countries such as Indonesia, India, and Brazil highlight the growing involvement of the Global South, although regional disparities remain evident. Highly cited sources underscore the multidisciplinary nature of the field, linking communication, public policy, and social movement studies. Thematic mapping identifies social media and digital activism as foundational themes, while human-centered participation and social movements function as key drivers of current research. Thematic evolution further demonstrates a transition from technology-oriented perspectives toward more socially embedded and policy-relevant approaches, particularly those emphasizing public engagement and collective action. This study synthesizes how digital activism has increasingly been conceptualized as a dynamic mechanism influencing policy processes. It also identifies critical gaps, including the limited focus on direct policy outcomes and the lack of longitudinal and comparative analyses. These insights support the development of more integrated, context-sensitive, and evidence-based approaches to understanding digital activism and its policy implications.

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