Research on work and occupations plays a central role in higher education, shaping academic curricula, informing pedagogical approaches, and advancing social understanding. One emerging and increasingly relevant area is the concept of dirty work. This study maps the evolving field of dirty work research, highlighting how occupations perceived as physically, socially, or morally tainted have been examined in academic literature over the past 25 years. Once associated primarily with low-status roles, the notion of dirty work now extends to high-status professions involving ethically complex or controversial practices, reflecting broader societal shifts in how work is evaluated and valued. The social construction of "dirtiness" is influenced by cultural norms, ethical boundaries, and contextual perceptions, raising critical questions for educators and researchers about how we define, teach, and study work and its social meanings. To support a more systematic understanding of this expanding field, this study offers a comprehensive literature review of 262 publications from 1999 to 2024. By combining bibliometric analysis with ontological thematic analysis, the research maps the intellectual landscape of dirty work studies—identifying key authors, institutions, citation patterns, and thematic clusters.

Five core areas emerged from the analysis:
(1) dynamics and stigma of dirty work,
(2) identity construction and maintenance,
(3) coping strategies and stigma management,
(4) ethical and organizational dimensions, and
(5) methodological approaches.

By tracing the development of these themes over time, this study contributes not only to academic discourse but also to educational practice—providing a foundation for integrating dirty work research into curricula, training programs, and pedagogical strategies. This alignment between research and education underscores the transformative potential of engaging students and professionals in critical reflection on stigma, identity, ethics, and the dignity of work.

Keywords: Dirty work, work and occupations, stigma and identity, systematic review.