Estela Valverde was born in Uruguay and holds a PhD in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of New South Wales. She was founding member and directed three of the biggest Spanish programs in Australia: University of Western Sydney; The University of Queensland and Macquarie University. She occupied senior positions in tertiary and secondary education such as Director of the Language for Export Research Centre and Chairperson of the HSC Examination and Syllabus Committees in NSW. She has published around the exploration of issues related to translation, history, memory and politics, ethnic and gender identities. Her interest in bilingualism stemmed from her desire to bring up her children and grandchildren bilingual in an English speaking context. With that aim she has written children short stories and created a Facebook group called Supporting Bilingual Children: Changing lives. Her present research is in contemporary human rights politics, transitional justice and democratisation.