We are pleased to announce the 2026 TIRF Kathleen M. Bailey Teacher-Research Award recipients!

The TIRF Bailey Award honors Dr. Kathleen M. Bailey, who served as TIRF’s President and Chair of the Board of Trustees for over a decade, from 2009 to 2022. The award is meant to recognize Dr. Bailey’s research, her lifelong commitment to teaching, and her desire to support and encourage research carried out by practicing English language teachers, as well as honor her commitment to TIRF.

The purpose of the TIRF Bailey Award is to encourage, support, and recognize research conducted by teachers. It also serves as a vehicle for the creation of new knowledge about language teaching and learning as well as the development of research skills for both new and experienced teachers. Simultaneously, the TIRF Bailey Award was designed to be inclusive of people around the world, regardless of length of service as a teacher, the applicants’ level of educational attainment, their professional affiliations, or their experience as researchers, among other areas that sometimes prevent people from applying for professional development opportunities.

Information about the 2026 TIRF Bailey Awardees is provided below. In one instance, an award was provided to a team of researchers; the other studies funded are being carried out by single researchers. Their names, bio statements, home countries, project titles, and the TIRF Research Topics investigated are shared below. TIRF supporters may click on their names to learn more about each of the awardees’ studies.

	Name & Bio: Atem Arabella Etagha Takang (University of Buea and English High School Yaounde, Cameroon) is a Cameroonian English language educator, teacher-researcher, and inclusive education advocate. Her work focuses on English language teaching, digital learning, assistive technology, and support for learners with disabilities. She develops practical approaches that improve access, participation, and communication for diverse English language learners. Hometown: Yaounde, Cameroon Project Title: Listening Beyond Sight: AI Smart Glasses and English Communication Skills among Visually Impaired Learners in Cameroon TIRF Research Topic Investigated: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
	Names & Bios: Phuong Le Hoang Ngo (pictured left) holds an MA and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Southampton, UK, and is currently a lecturer and researcher at the University of Foreign Languages and International Studies, Hue University, Vietnam. Her research interests include English-medium instruction, language teaching, teacher agency, and teacher professional development. Thao Thi Thanh Tran (pictured right) is a lecturer at the University of Foreign Languages and International Studies, Hue University, Vietnam. She holds an MA in TESOL from Australia and a PhD in English Language Education from the Education University of Hong Kong. Her current research focuses on language competence, mobile learning, technology-enhanced language learning, self-regulated learning, and the integration of digital technologies to support language development. Hometowns: Hue, Vietnam Project Title: Promoting Students’ Willingness to Communicate in English via Digital Storytelling Group Projects in VietnameseEFL Speaking Classes TIRF Research Topic Investigated: Digital Technology in Language Education
	Name & Bio: Taghreed El Masry, PhD, is an English language educator, researcher, and education program manager with over 28 years of experience in teaching, supervision, and educational program implementation. She currently serves as an English Language Supervisor with the Palestinian Ministry of Education and as an Education Program Manager at Senabil Association. Her recent research focuses on English language education and teaching in crisis-affected contexts. Hometown: Gaza, Palestine Project Title: Supporting English Language Learning among Primary Learners in Emergency Educational Settings in Gaza TIRF Research Topic Investigated: Teaching Second and Foreign Languages to Young Learners
	Name & Bio: Worasiri Boonsue is an English lecturer at Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Thailand. She holds a DA in English from Srinakharinwirot University and an MEd in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Chiang Mai University. Her areas of expertise include academic writing and research skills instruction. Her research interests include language skills development, technology-enhanced learning, and English language pedagogy. Hometown: Chiang Mai, Thailand Project Title: Developing SDG-Based English Reading Modules to Enhance Reading Comprehension and Environmental Awareness among Thai EFL University Students TIRF Research Topic Investigated: Content-based Instruction

We intend to open the 2027 TIRF Bailey Award program early next year, with an anticipated application deadline in early- to mid-June 2027. Please continue to follow our updates by signing up for our newsletter if you have not already done so.

Please join us in congratulating the TIRF Bailey Award recipients!