Developments in higher education that have significance for the next few years (1987-1989) are discussed, based on a review of the published research in Western Europe and the Americas. Three propositions derived from the currents of research on higher education are briefly considered: (1) a demanding force for higher education comes from application and technology rather than from developed bodies of theory; (2) a major shift in the pattern of knowledge is occurring with consequences for academic organization, the curriculum, and the conduct of research; and (3) public policy enactments at the national and regional levels have become a major influence on higher education, often without information from academic leaders and researchers. Evidence to support these propositions is cited, with attention to 10 areas of concern: teaching and learning, policy and planning, internal management, higher education and work, lifelong learning and nontraditional forms, adaptation to scarce resources and changing conditions, improvement of statistical information, international academic exchange, the role and participation of women, and problems of research. In addition to considering trends in higher education, "targets" of research are distinguished. A 152-item bibliography is included. (SW)