Kevin Argus

Associate Professor Kevin Argus

Department of Marketing

School of Eonomics, Finance & Marketing, RMIT University

 

Biography

Associate Professor Kevin Argus is a driving force in circular economy, leading RMIT's interdisciplinary efforts for sustainability as Co-Chair of the RMIT Circular Economy Hub. The Hub enables interdisciplinary research grant collaboration and HDR supervision across the University. Kevin is also acting as Director of Research for the Regenerative Futures Instituteduring May to August this year, supporting research capacity building in regenerative futures at RMIT.

 

Kevin leads RMIT’s partnership in a CRC‑P Round 18 project, together with industry partner Recircle, securing a $3M Commonwealth Government grant for a $7.6M multi-partner initiative developing an autonomous, AI-enabled robotic platform for decentralised soft plastic recycling. This CRC-P project brings together Recircle, RMIT, CSIRO, and multiple industry sector partners to transform low-density polyethylene waste into valuable recycled pellets, reducing landfill, carbon emissions, and barriers to cost-effective recycling. Kevin also led a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Food Waste Reduce Grant Project with Gander Australia. 

Kevin’s real-world impact is exemplified through leadership of innovative sustainability initiatives, including the Recircle project addressing Australia’s largest untapped recycling challenge of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) soft plastics. By advancing a pilot facility that leverages robotics and AI for decentralised sorting, cleaning, and recycling into valuable plastic pellets, this work targets landfill reduction, lowers carbon emissions, and delivers scalable, cost-effective circular economy solutions for industry.

 

Bridging Sustainability Gaps for Real-World Impact

Kevin’s practical impact is underscored by an industry sponsored Social Procurement Partnership Award in the construction sector. He was a 2024 finalist for Outstanding Leadership in Engagement in the national Engagement Australia Excellence Awards for social and environmental impact. Additionally, his co-supervision of the 2023 RMIT Vice Chancellor's HDR Research Impact Award recipient contributed to five high-impact publications integrating sustainability with circular economy principles.

 

Disseminating Knowledge for Global Impact

Recipient of the 2023 RMIT Rising Media Star Award and the college 2023 Global Engagement Award, Kevin is recognised for disseminating impactful knowledge through diverse media. This showcases his commitment to sustainable futures with a broad national and international reach, emphasising his passion for bridging gaps between academia and industry.

 

Awards

 

2024 Finalist in Australia Excellence Awards (National Award)

2023 Recipient of inaugural International Engagement Award (College of Business and Law)

2023 Recipient of Rising Media Star Award (RMIT Award)

2022 Social Traders Game Changer Award via Shared Value Partnership with Ability Works Australia, Aurecon, Transurban, Apricot Consulting, RMIT

2020 Social Traders Social Procurement Partnership of the Year Award with Ability Works Australia, Aurecon, Transurban, Apricot Consulting, RMIT

 

Leadership Roles

 

1. Director of Research (Acting) - Regenerative Futures Institute (May-August 2026)
2. Co-Chair of RMIT Circular Economy Hub 2023 - Present
3. RMIT Lead of CRC-P Round 18 Grant ($3m) 
4. MBA Program Director 2022-2025
5. Lead of CRC Food Waste - Reduce Grant Project 2023-25
6. Chair of College Gender Equity & Inclusion Reference Group - Leadership and Governance 2022-25

 

Description of Leadership Roles

 

Director of Research (Acting) at the Regenerative Futures Institute (RMIT University) - May - August 2026

Position: Director of Research (Acting) - Regenerative Futures Institute

Description: The Director of Research provides strategic leadership for multidisciplinary research focused on advancing regenerative, circular, and sustainable systems across industries and communities. The role involves driving high-impact research programs, building partnerships with industry and government, securing major funding, and translating cutting-edge innovations into real-world solutions that address environmental, social, and economic challenges.

 

Co-Chair, RMIT Circular Economy Hub 2023 - Present

Position: Co-Chair, RMIT Circular Economy Hub

Description: The Circular Economy Hub (CEH) is a cross-disciplinary, industry-engaged network of RMIT experts working on cutting-edge and innovative circular economy research across Australia and internationally. The RMIT Circular Economy Hub fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration, promoting holistic and systemic research partnerships focusing on empirical outcomes. This enhances the University's influence and proficiency in the circular economy domain. Additionally, it aids in the development of a new platform for capability building, encompassing micro-credentials, executive training, and vocational and higher education outcomes. Learn more

 

RMIT Lead of CRC-P Round 18 Grant ($3m) - 2026 - present

This CRC-P project brings together Recircle, RMIT, CSIRO, and multiple industry sector partners to transform low-density polyethylene waste into valuable recycled pellets, reducing landfill, carbon emissions, and barriers to cost-effective recycling. Industry partners include Asaleo Personal Care Pty Ltd, Australian Meat Processor Corporation Ltd, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Ltd, Incitec Pivot Limited, KUKA Robotics Australia Pty Ltd, Makegoods Pty Limited, Sealed Air Australia Pty Limited, V Packaging Pty Ltd. Kevin also led a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Food Waste Reduce Grant Project with Gander Australia. 

 

MBA Program Director 2022-2025

Position: MBA Program Director (all modes) MBA Program Manager for Melbourne City Campus and RMIT Online.

Description: MBA Program Director for the MBA Programs taught in multiple modes and locations across Melbourne City, RMIT Online, and Vietnam.

 

Lead, End Food Waste CRC - Reduce Stream - Gander Retail Project (2023-2025)

Position: Lead, End Food Waste CRC - Reduce Stream - Gander Retail Project

Description: Conducts action research with Retail Partner Gander Retail, Metcash, and selected IGA Supermarket partners to research the impact of technology, gamification, food waste reduction, and consumer behaviour.

 

Chair, Gender Equity Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group - Leadership and Governance (2023-2025)

Position: Chair, Gender Equity Diversity and Inclusion Reference Group - Leadership and Governance

Description: Leads College, School representatives in design, development and implementation of a Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Framework to guide policy implmentation (implemented for the Research Active Status Policy).

 

Education

 

PhD Marketing, Monash University, 2011

Masters of Management, Monash University, 2002

Masters of Marketing, Monash Univeristy, 2001

BBus Acctg, Swinburne University, pre 2000

 

Contact

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Dr Kevin Argus

Associate Professor, Marketing (School of Management)

MBA Program Director

Department of Business Administration

School of Economics, Finance & Marketing

RMIT Building 80 (Level 9), 435-457 Swanston Street, Melbourne Vic 3000

Phone: +61 419 889 465 or (03) 9925 1457

Email: kevin.argus@rmit.edu.au

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