Calestous Juma is Professor of the Practice of International Development and director of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is a former executive secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and Founding Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies in Nairobi. He also served as chancellor of the University of Guyana.

He has been elected to several scientific academies including the Royal Society of London, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), the Royal Academy of Engineering and the African Academy of Sciences. He has won several international awards and honorary degrees for his work on sustainable development. He holds a Ph.D. in science and technology policy studies and has written widely on science, technology, and the environment. He teaches courses in developmental policy as part of the MPA/ID Program. He is lead author of Innovation: Applying Knowledge in Development, Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa's Development and editor of Going for Growth: Science, Technology and Innovation in African Development.