This special issue on "Science of science, technology and innovation policy" mainly focuses on the various initiatives taken by many countries, which have been triggered by the speech by Dr. Marburger, the then-science adviser to the president in the United States, at Science and Technology Policy Forum of AAAS of April 2005. However, the studies on science and technology innovation policy are not something bursting in the 21st century, but has a long history back to 1950's, developing along with changing policy needs of science, technology and innovation. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the relevant research areas is conducted through two ways. Firstly, survey articles and a major handbook are reviewed to grasp a bird-eye view of this research area. Secondly, a review on research trends is conducted, with respect to several perspectives based on the authors group's views.
