Bridging the research and policy/practice gap: Making a case for a bi-directional approach, multidisciplinary partnerships to tighten the nexus between science of learning and education

Significant attention has been paid to the impact of education research around the world in recent years. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners have collectively argued for a closer nexus between research and policy/practice so as to bridge the research-policy/practice gap. This includes the Science of Learning research which shows promise in informing and improving teaching and learning. So how can research institutions or centers be designed to tighten this nexus? The National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore recently established the Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC). SoLEC adopts a bi-directional, multidisciplinary approach in a bid to make research more relevant and useful. We argue that through this approach, Science of Learning and Education can be brought together in meaningful and fruitful research endeavors.