Closing the gap between Research and Policy in Science Education Innovations in science education are suggested and research in science education occurs as if science education takes place in a political vacuum. Policy decisions about the practice of science education are made without regard for the relevant findings from researchâ Cases and examples that illustrate these two expressions of the gap between policy and research in science education will be discussed. Contrary examples that bridged this gap will then be considered to develop some bases for the research community to be more actively and effectively involved in shaping policy and practice in science education. What such involvement would mean will then be explored with respect to several major issues facing science education internationally at the present time.