In recognition of the forty-year anniversary of "Higher Education Research & Development," this article reviews the research on higher education and the world of work in the journal, including how 'work' has been defined, prioritised, integrated, and predicted in the field of higher education research. Based on an analysis of published articles from 1982 to 2021 in the journal, this article discusses the complexity of higher education research on the topic of work and learning and the relevance and contribution of the journal's articles to the field. It suggests agendas for future research on higher education and the world of work in the changing social and economic context.