I'm curious about why higher-kinded types are needed for this. I'd have thought that it would be possible to create these kinds of traits in rust's current type system. Is there someplace I could read more explanation on this?

Are higher-kinded types scheduled for inclusion? If so when?

They're at the "nobody has yet to come up with a serious proposal" stage. Some are skeptical that they can ever fit in. We'll see.

Thanks. Do you know who is working on this? I'd like to talk with them.

I'm not aware of anyone seriously pursuing it yet.