Service Learning (SL) has emerged as a transformative pedagogical approach in higher education, integrating academic learning with community engagement to foster students’ personal, social, and professional development. As interest in SL grows, it becomes essential to assess the scope and evolution of scientific research on the topic. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of SL in higher education, mapping the academic production, identifying key areas of application, and highlighting research gaps.

To achieve this, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed using data from major academic databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. The study examines citation trends, the most influential publications, prolific authors, and institutional collaborations. Additionally, keyword co-occurrence analysis was conducted to determine the most recurrent themes and emerging topics in SL research. The impact of publications was assessed through citation counts and network analysis, offering insights into the evolution of academic discussions on SL in higher education.

Preliminary findings indicate a significant increase in SL - related publications over the past two decades, reflecting a growing academic interest in its role in higher education. The analysis identifies dominant research areas, such as SL’s impact on student motivation, civic engagement, skill development, and employability. Furthermore, studies often explore its integration into various disciplines, including health sciences, business, and engineering. Despite this growth, the results also reveal gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the long-term effects of SL on professional careers, cross-cultural comparisons, and the use of technology-enhanced SL approaches.

Keywords: Service Learning, Higher Education, Bibliometric Analysis, Research Trends, Academic Engagement, Active Learning.