Furqan is a certified Environmental Professional in training (EPt) with extensive experience in the environment field at the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Canadian International Development Agency and The WorldFish Center in areas ranging from natural resource management and policy development to international development and knowledge management. He studied at the University of Western Ontario, obtaining a Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science and also holds a Master of Environmental Science from the University of Toronto.

At UNU-INWEH he is engaged in contributing to efforts that bridge science and policy to improve the effectiveness and impact of water-related and development research in addition to knowledge management/translation/brokering (K*) initiatives. He is also responsible for identifying audiences and distribution strategies for policy briefs (in addition to drafting the briefs) and assisting in dissemination of policy-relevant material related to the IW:Science Project.