International development is characterised by a concern for praxis, the union of theory and practice. But bridging research and policy is harder than it looks. This special issue of the Journal of International Development presents the papers and conclusions from the blockbuster 2004 Development Studies Association conference on Bridging Research and Policy in International Development. The papers in the special issue add new perspectives and a host of lessons on the science and the art of policy entrepreneurship for poverty reduction. Includes articles: Policy Entrepreneurship for Poverty Reduction, Julius Court and Simon Maxwell; Research, Policy and Practice: Why Developing Countries are Different, John Young.