Afeeya Akhand is a researcher at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a Canberra-based defence and national security think tank. Afeeya’s research relate to foreign policy and national security with a focus on South Korea, Bangladesh, climate change and anti-racism. Her work has been featured in outlets including The Strategist, The Mandarin and SBS Australia.

As a young Bangladeshi-Australian woman, Afeeya is dedicated to elevating traditionally marginalised perspectives in foreign policy and national security through her work to advocate for increased cultural diversity and youth inclusion. She sits on the Australian National University National Security College’s Youth Council and attended the 2022 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Washington DC as a member of Australia’s only youth delegation.

Afeeya has also worked in the Australian Department of Defence and a Canberra-based consultancy for government and defence industry clients. She graduated with a Masters in International Security specialising in Korean language from the University of Sydney and holds Bachelor degrees in Laws with Honours and Finance from the Australian National University.