was born in Ankara and now lives in New York, where she works as a postdoctoral core lecturer at Columbia University and teaches graduate seminars at New School-Parsons School of Design. Akcan received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from Middle East Technical University, and her MPhil from Columbia University, where she is also about to complete her doctoral degree. Akcan has received numerous awards and fellowships including Columbia University Doctoral Scholarship (1998-2005), Graham Foundation-Carter Manny Award of Special Recognition (2003), Mellon Foundation Fellowship (2002), DAAD (2001-2002), Kinne Travel Grant (2002), KRESS/ARIT Fellowship (2000), and Special Mention at “Cem Culture House Architectural Competition” (with Mualla Erkiliç, 1996).

She taught architectural and landscape design studios at METU, and did yearly doctoral research in Germany through Berlin Technical University. Akcan has various published articles in journals and books such as Journal of Architecture, Architectural Design (Great Britain), Journal of Architectural Education (USA), Architectural Theory Review (Australia), 9/11 New York-Istanbul, Arredamento Mimarlik, XXI, Domus m, Mimarlik, Defter, Toplum Bilim, Studios, (Turkey). She guest edited a special issue on globalization for Domus m (February-Mach 2001) and published (Land)Fill Istanbul. Twelve Scenarios for a Global City (2004).