Students

ECON8030 – Policy Analysis and Design Project

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Andrea Chareunsy
andrea.chareunsy@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MAppEc or MBusAnalytics) and 30cp at 8000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is a collaborative project-based Capstone unit. It bridges the knowledge and skills accumulated in the course and the broader society of business and government. Students are provided with a practical experience of applying discipline knowledge to address real world challenges, develop innovative solutions and propose policy recommendations, within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Working in teams, students identify specific challenges, conduct comprehensive research, perform rigorous analysis, and develop evidence-based solutions for presentation to a panel of experts. The Capstone emphasises the development of essential professional competencies – collaborative teamwork, effective communication, and advanced critical, analytical, and creative thinking skills – through a virtual consultancy model. This structured professional environment prepares students to transition their academic knowledge into practical expertise valued in both private and public sectors.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Apply advanced discipline knowledge to the problems faced by decision makers.
  • ULO2: Synthesise and creatively adapt research to complex policy issues in preparation for professional practice.
  • ULO3: Effectively communicate complex ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • ULO4: Interpret and apply ethical dimension of business practice to business and economic policy decision choices.
  • ULO5: Collaborate with peers to prepare and present research findings on current real-world issues.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Skills development: Team project planning 30% No 10/09/2026 Individual and Group No Observed
Professional practice: Communicating research 20% No 05/11/2026 Individual and Group No Observed
Professional practice: Policy sustainability report 50% No 08/11/2026 Individual and Group No Open

Skills development: Team project planning

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 10/09/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work collaboratively and develop your work readiness skills and agility to defend your ideas on the spot.
 
In your team, develop a plan for the team project. Then, as an individual, in class outline and explain your specific contribution to the project, drawing on the preliminary research and analysis you will complete in your team role.
 
You will work in teams to present your team’s project proposal based on individual preliminary research and analyses (based on your role and team responsibility).
 
Skills in focus:
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Digital skills
Deliverable(s): In-class proposal outline Q&A
 
Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced discipline knowledge to the problems faced by decision makers.
  • Synthesise and creatively adapt research to complex policy issues in preparation for professional practice.
  • Effectively communicate complex ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Interpret and apply ethical dimension of business practice to business and economic policy decision choices.

Professional practice: Communicating research

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 05/11/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work collaboratively and demonstrate your work readiness skills and agility in communicating solutions to the ‘Board’.
 
You will work in teams to present the analyses, findings and solutions of your team’s research project to a panel of experts. This is followed by a short Q&A for the team to defend their proposal of solutions.
 
Skills in focus: 
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Work readiness
Deliverable(s): Team Presentation (5 mins) per member and Q&A
 
Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced discipline knowledge to the problems faced by decision makers.
  • Synthesise and creatively adapt research to complex policy issues in preparation for professional practice.
  • Effectively communicate complex ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Professional practice: Policy sustainability report

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 08/11/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop collaboration and work readiness skills and to demonstrate research skills and agility in crafting sustainable solutions to complex issues.
 
You will work collaboratively to deliver the team’s industry report, on the research, analyses, findings and solutions compiled by the individual members, focusing on the impact on stakeholders and sustainability of the recommendations.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Work readiness
  • Collaboration and communication
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 
Deliverable(s): Individual report with individual contribution [approx.1,200 words]
 
Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced discipline knowledge to the problems faced by decision makers.
  • Synthesise and creatively adapt research to complex policy issues in preparation for professional practice.
  • Effectively communicate complex ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Interpret and apply ethical dimension of business practice to business and economic policy decision choices.
  • Collaborate with peers to prepare and present research findings on current real-world issues.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Lecture Workshops

This Capstone unit simulates a virtual consultancy where students work in project teams based on a common current issue. Teams and projects are supported by industry mentors and guests and guided by the convenor. 

As such, you must attend a compulsory three-hour, on-campus workshop each week, on Thursday 6:00pm–9:00pm, held in 1CC 112. Project teams and individual team roles will be confirmed in Week 1, and project preparation will begin immediately.

The Capstone project is built on teamwork and collaboration. Active in-class engagement is essential and includes interactive acitvities, debates or mock trials, team challenges, and inter- and intra-team consultations. Because teamwork is a core part of the unit that mimicks a consulting environment, participation in weekly team activities is mandatory. Week activities include project briefings, team updates and industry consultations, as well as scaffolded learning activities to support team formation, skills development, and project progression.

 

iLearn

The unit iLearn site provides the most up-to-date information, including weekly learning activities, assessment details, and team updates. You are strongly encouraged to check iLearn regularly, and certainly more than once per week.

Unit Schedule

The unit is organised into four modules of learning activities culminating in the formal delivery of the team project:

Discovery and Research (Weeks 1–4)

  • Team-building activities, identifying individual team roles, and developing the team research question.

Formulating the Project (Weeks 5–8)

  • Developing team support structures and scaffolding for individual tasks.
  • Individual project management and planning to support the team project proposal.

Finalising the Project (Weeks 9–12)

  • Preparing and synthesising individual results and preparing a coordinated team project output
  • Incorporating regular feedback from team, cross-team, industry mentors and UC to improve individual components and the team project.

Formal Delivery of the Team Project (Week 13)

  • In-class team presentation to Industry Panel
  • Submission of a polished Team Industry Report.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.05 of the Handbook