TIRF is powered by dedicated volunteers who generously contribute their expertise, time, and passion. This section celebrates their impact and highlights how their service helps advance research, mentorship, and innovation in English language education worldwide. We honor their commitment to creating meaningful change for learners and educators.
If you wish to volunteer your time and talents, simply write to [email protected] to share your thoughts on how you believe you can help further our mission and why you want to get involved.
Dr. Andy Curtis
Distinguished Guest Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Macau, SAR, PRC
“Through our connection with TESOL International Association past president and past chair of TIRF, Kathi Bailey, my wife, Liying Cheng, and I were some of the first TIRF donors, when we started giving more than 20 years ago. Over that time, it has been inspiring to see how TIRF has grown and to have contributed to that growth has been an important part of our professional lives. Serving for three years, from 2018 to 2021, as a member of the TIRF Board of Trustees was an enriching and rewarding experience, working with a diverse international board, from which I learned a great deal. Now, as a supervisor of doctoral students from Mainland China, I regularly refer them to the hundreds of TIRF resources lists, to which I have contributed, and I look forward to many more years of working with TIRF to support the next generation of language researchers.”
Dr. Denise Murray
Professor Emeritus at Macquarie University in Sydney and at San José State University in California
“It has been an honor to be involved in the work of TIRF. Since TIRF’s inception, I have watched with joy and admiration as the range of TIRF’s activities, generosity, and influence around the world have grown. TIRF is unique in the breadth of its research and publications. Not only does it involve institutions and individuals across the globe, but it covers all of the complexities of English language education. I have advanced my own knowledge of the field through reading TIRF’s publications and attending their informative sessions at the annual TESOL Convention. Over the years I’ve increased my donations as I’ve seen the quality of TIRF’s work, achieved through a volunteer board, reviewers, and mentors. I encourage others to contribute to this valuable work, as a volunteer, as an applicant for a grant, as a consumer of TIRF information, or as a donor.”
Mr. Richard Boyum
Retired, Department of State, USA
“Volunteering with TIRF over the past several years has been incredibly rewarding for me both professionally and personally. TIRF is at the forefront of English language teaching and learning research, and as such, has allowed me to gain deeper insight into the field. Through committee work, organizing events and working on projects, I have connected with an inspiring community of colleagues from around the world. It has also been gratifying to see the difference the Doctoral Dissertation Grants make for up-and-coming future leaders and to hear testimonials that show how TIRF sponsored events and resources contribute so much to so many educators. In short, it feels good to be a part of something that makes a difference.”