Reza Akbari is an Associate Professor of Management at CQUniversity. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Victoria University, an MBA from University Putra Malaysia, and teaching qualifications from RMIT University and Harvard University (BOK Centre).

With over 14 years of academic experience across Australia and Asia, Reza has taught at institutions including James Cook University (JCU), RMIT University, Victoria University, and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. Before joining CQUniversity, he held key leadership roles at James Cook University, serving as Program Manager/Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Commerce programs, Academic Head, and Director of the Singapore MBA program. He also brings 13 years of industry experience across IT, construction, retail, and education management, having worked in Australia, the UK, Germany, Iran, Malaysia, and Vietnam. From 2016 to 2021, he served as Senior Program Manager for the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program at RMIT Vietnam, overseeing 750+ students across multiple campuses.

Reza is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a multi-award-winning researcher. His contributions have been recognized by James Cook University’s 2023 and 2024 "Research Impact in Scholarship" and "MCR Award for Research Achievements". As an award-winning educator, he received RMIT’s 2019 Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award for "Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning". He is also a Certified Professional in Logistics Management (CPLM) and an active member of several professional organisations.

An accomplished author, Reza wrote "The Road to Outsourcing 4.0" and has published 40+ journal articles and book chapters in top-tier academic journals. His research has been featured by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and recognised by the Vietnamese government. He serves on the editorial board of Operations Management Research and has been a guest editor for special issues on supply chain management and sustainability in prominent journals. A sought-after speaker, he has delivered keynote addresses at international conferences in Vietnam and China, and he regularly reviews for leading academic publications.

Reza supervises PhD candidates and continues to drive research in sustainable supply chains, Industry 4.0 technologies, and global operations.