Sholeh Wolpé is an Iranian-born poet and playwright. A recipient of Mid-West Book Award, and PEN/Heim, her literary work includes several plays as well as 12 books of translations, anthologies, and poetry, including Keeping Time with Blue Hyacinths (University of Arkansas Press) and The Conference of the Birds (W.W.Norton). She has lived in the UK and Trinidad and is presently based in Los Angeles. www.sholehwolpe.com

Frances Shannon is a biomedical researcher, and Emeritus Professor at the ANU College of Health and Medicine. She was Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Canberra from 2009–2018.