The state of global catastrophic risk research: a bibliometric review
Florian Ulrich Jehn,John-Oliver Engler,Constantin W. Arnscheidt,Magdalena Wache,Ekaterina Ilin,Laura Cook,Lalitha S. Sundaram,Frederic Hanusch,and Luke Kemp
Panel on Planetary Thinking, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
Luke Kemp
Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Total article views: 1,629 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
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1,550
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Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 09 Dec 2024)
Total article views: 1,404 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
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1,328
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1,404
11
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14
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PDF: 57
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Total: 1,404
Supplement: 11
BibTeX: 10
EndNote: 14
Views and downloads (calculated since 22 Jul 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads
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Total article views: 225 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
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222
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225
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Total: 225
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Views and downloads (calculated since 09 Dec 2024)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 09 Dec 2024)
Viewed (geographical distribution)
Since the preprint corresponding to this journal article was posted outside of Copernicus Publications, the preprint-related metrics are limited to HTML views.
Total article views: 1,629 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 1,629 with geography defined
and 0 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 1,404 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 1,401 with geography defined
and 3 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 225 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 225 with geography defined
and 0 with unknown origin.
This study presents the first systematic analysis of the global catastrophic risk and existential risk literature, examining 3437 documents from OpenAlex. Using bibliographic coupling, we identify and describe 10 research clusters aligned with major risks. The field shows geographic concentration in the US/UK, gender imbalance, and a small number of prolific authors. We recommend improving diversity, fostering cross-cluster collaboration, and building connections with adjacent disciplines.
This study presents the first systematic analysis of the global catastrophic risk and...