Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi is a retired Director of Research at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa. She held a similar position at the rural-based Walter Sisulu University. She has worked in research management for the past 20 years, and continues to contribute to research development and capacity-building in research and innovation management. Dr Mpako-Ntusi is a former President of the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA), and a member of the Society of Research Administrators (SRA) International.

She obtained a PhD at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, in the USA, and started her career as a social worker, followed by an academic career at the University of Fort Hare, and the University of Transkei. She also was a Visiting Professor at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Dr Mpako-Ntusi is the author of numerous book chapters, conference papers and journal articles chiefly on social work issues. She was awarded a British Council scholarship for her masters degree and a Fulbright scholarship for her doctoral studies.