Abstract
This paper contributes to the debate regarding the ability of academic research, specifically sustainability transition research, to address and advance sustainable development. It does so by mapping the field’s knowledge output, analysing research priorities in relation to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and different types of research impact. Through systematic review methods, a comprehensive analysis of the field's peer-reviewed case studies (n = 256) from the last two decades is performed. The findings reveal a distinct geographical bias in the examined publications, with a concentration on locations in the Global North, as well as a technocentric focus, prioritising goals related to technology and innovation. The studies also prioritise implications for public policy, often overshadowing cultural, social, and educational areas of impact. These insights inform a future research agenda grounded in the principle of indivisibility.