diff --git a/rest_framework/request.py b/rest_framework/request.py
index 93109226d..1b1a0a649 100644
--- a/rest_framework/request.py
+++ b/rest_framework/request.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ The wrapped request then offers a richer API, in particular :
     - full support of PUT method, including support for file uploads
     - form overloading of HTTP method, content type and content
 """
+import contextvars
 import io
 import sys
 from contextlib import contextmanager
@@ -149,6 +150,8 @@ class Request:
           authenticating the request's user.
     """
 
+    _context_instance = contextvars.ContextVar('request')
+
     def __init__(self, request, parsers=None, authenticators=None,
                  negotiator=None, parser_context=None):
         assert isinstance(request, HttpRequest), (
@@ -458,3 +461,11 @@ class Request:
         # Hack to allow our exception handler to force choice of
         # plaintext or html error responses.
         self._request.is_ajax = lambda: value
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_current(cls, default=None):
+        return cls._context_instance.get(default)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def set_current(cls, value):
+        return cls._context_instance.set(value)
diff --git a/rest_framework/serializers.py b/rest_framework/serializers.py
index e27f8a47c..815e97e29 100644
--- a/rest_framework/serializers.py
+++ b/rest_framework/serializers.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
 from rest_framework.compat import postgres_fields
 from rest_framework.exceptions import ErrorDetail, ValidationError
 from rest_framework.fields import get_error_detail, set_value
+from rest_framework.request import Request
 from rest_framework.settings import api_settings
 from rest_framework.utils import html, model_meta, representation
 from rest_framework.utils.field_mapping import (
@@ -115,6 +116,12 @@ class BaseSerializer(Field):
         self.partial = kwargs.pop('partial', False)
         self._context = kwargs.pop('context', {})
         kwargs.pop('many', None)
+
+        if isinstance(self._context, dict) and ('request' not in self._context):
+            request = Request.get_current()
+            if request:
+                self._context['request'] = request
+
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
 
     def __new__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/rest_framework/views.py b/rest_framework/views.py
index 4c30029fd..2bc4fe32f 100644
--- a/rest_framework/views.py
+++ b/rest_framework/views.py
@@ -489,9 +489,11 @@ class APIView(View):
         """
         self.args = args
         self.kwargs = kwargs
+        self.headers = self.default_response_headers  # deprecate?
+
         request = self.initialize_request(request, *args, **kwargs)
         self.request = request
-        self.headers = self.default_response_headers  # deprecate?
+        Request.set_current(request)
 
         try:
             self.initial(request, *args, **kwargs)