Daniel R. Sanford, Ph.D., is a scholar of linguistics and a national leader in peer tutoring and learning center pedagogy. Currently Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Boise State University, Dr. Sanford’s research spans metaphor theory, cognitive linguistics, and the scholarship of peer learning. He is the lead editor of the forthcoming Handbook of Peer Tutoring (Bloomsbury, 2025), and co-author of The Rowman & Littlefield Guide for Peer Tutors (2020) and Guide to Learning Center Administration (2021), foundational texts for the field.

His scholarly work includes numerous peer-reviewed journal articles on metaphor, idiom processing, and the intersection of cognitive linguistics and composition studies, published in Journal of Cognitive Science, Language and Cognition, Cognitive Linguistics, and Composition Forum. His work bridges theory and practice, with particular attention to linguistic diversity, multilingual writing support, and tutor education. As co-editor of the Rowman & Littlefield series Theory & Practice for Peer Tutors and Learning Center Professionals, Dr. Sanford has helped define the evolving field of learning center leadership.

A frequent keynote speaker and invited workshop facilitator, he has contributed to national conversations on inclusive tutor training, high-impact practices, and writing across the curriculum. His scholarship and leadership have been recognized by multiple national awards, including the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award and the Martinson Award for Innovation.