CLIMATE RESEARCH IN LITHUANIA AS A LENS FOR SCIENCE COMMUNICATION: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRUST

Abstract

Climate change poses urgent challenges globally, yet public understanding and trust in climate science are undermined by widespread misinformation. Small countries, such as Lithuania, contribute to climate research and face unique challenges in engaging their citizens with scientific knowledge. In this study, we present a bibliometric analysis of climate-related research outputs from Lithuania (2005–2024) as a basis to inform a more extensive investigation into public attitudes toward science. The growth and orientation of Lithuania’s climate research are contextualized against European and global trends, revealing a rapid expansion in output and increasing integration into international collaboration. We analyze publication trends, topical clusters, co-authorship networks, influential authors, institutions, and journal prominence. Additionally, we conducted a quantitative analysis of projects funded by the Research Council of Lithuania, the main funding body of R&I institutions in Lithuania. Results from both studies indicate that while Lithuania’s climate research strengths lie in technical and environmental domains, there is a gap in social science perspectives. We discuss how this gap can be addressed through targeted communication strategies and public engagement interventions.

Keywords: climate science, science communication, climate change, bibliometric analysis.