The changing nature of higher education and research is demanding a revision of the role and function of research management and governance. A plethora of meta-dynamics contribute to the need for the revision of research management and governance. Research governance and management is currently experiencing challenges to improve best practices and reshape the facilitation of research and knowledge production. Challenges experienced in research and higher education is systemic in nature and a systematic assessment of these challenges is required. This article aim to provide an overview of general trends and characteristics in reshaping higher education and research and provides an overview of the critical factors contributing to the development and improvement of higher education and research. An objective of this article is to introduce the main features of current higher education and research innovation. Generally, these features i