EconTALE Seminar Series - Assoc Prof Buly Cardak (La Trobe University)

Undergraduate economics programs are highly effective at developing students’ capabilities in economic reasoning, quantitative analysis and policy analysis. There is less consensus, however, about how students should make the transition from academic economic analysis to professional economic practice.

This seminar discusses the redesign of La Trobe University’s economics capstone around authentic public policy practice. Rather than organising the capstone around a single disciplinary topic, the redesigned subject asks students to synthesise learning from across the economics major and apply it to contemporary policy problems. Practising economists from government and regulatory agencies are involved as co-designers and co-educators, bringing current professional problems, practices and perspectives into the curriculum.

Students work through a progression of authentic economic tasks, including policy analysis, stakeholder submissions, ministerial briefing and graduate application materials, supported by workshops designed around collaborative analysis, debate and problem solving. The seminar will discuss the rationale for the redesign, the role of industry co-design and co-delivery, assessment design, evidence from student feedback and graduate outcomes, and lessons from developing and sustaining the capstone over six years.