Akvan is a trans-disciplinary researcher in the areas of sustainability and circular economy. He has a good theoretical and practical knowledge on broad environmental sustainability issues having worked in the not-for-profit and corporate sectors before joining academia. Akvan holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of London, where he obtained the top marks for the BSc Management degree for that year. He also holds a Masters in Economics and a PhD in Sustainable Engineering.

Before joining academia Akvan worked in the not-for-profit sector working in a partnership with the American Red Cross, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Environmental Foundation in setting up integrated waste management systems in disaster affected communities. He also has experience in the manufacturing sector, where he managed waste management and resource recovery strategy for an apparel manufacturer.

Akvan has over a decade of teaching experience in the Management, Economics and Environmental Sustainability disciplines. He has taught at the undergraduate level in multiple Universities across Australia and overseas.