Trends, Focus Areas and Research Gaps of Doctoral Degrees in Environmental Studies Departments at South African Universities: 1998-2017

Doctoral research must be original, creative or innovative and must make a significant contribution at the frontiers of a discipline. This article documents the contribution of 19 years of PhD research at six comprehensive and eleven traditional South African universities and identifies research topics through using a systematic literature review method. Two hundred and fourteen (214) environmental studies were scanned, manually and digitally analysed using Leximancer© to identify each PhD’s research theme. Results of what the PhDs focussed on were placed in a corresponding theme under each university. The combination of the number of completed PhDs per theme, the research focus areas and the SARChI research chairs of universities provide guidance to specific future research areas at the universities. Waste management, coastal/marine, mining-related environmental concerns, and protected areas are the broad themes with research potential. These gaps have been identified because few PhDs focused on these issues. The findings of the research highlight areas where environmental education can be a tool for improving and protecting the environment. In conclusion, we emphasise that this study will assist institutions of higher learning and their prospective students especially at PhD level with research focus areas that are yet to be further studied and that also require funding. Keywords: systematic review; PhD research ideas; environmental research focus