University medals reflect graduate excellence

Twelve remarkable graduates from The University of Queensland’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law have received University medals.

The medals are awarded annually to eligible graduates from the previous year who achieved outstanding academic results throughout their studies. The 2019 University medallists from the Faculty were: 

  • Josephine Auer | Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours)
  • Elizabeth Baldwin | Bachelor of Economics (Honours)
  • Laurence Bristow | Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours)
  • Michael Haipeng Chen | Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
  • Chun Kiat Lee | Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
  • Andrea Lim Yue Shuen | Bachelor of Business Management (Honours)
  • Kate Mann | Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours)
  • Alexandria Macdade| Bachelor of Business Management (Honours)
  • Hoang Phuong Linh Tran  | Bachelor of Economics (Honours)
  • Kunshan Tu | Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
  • Mia Williams | Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
  • Jiarui Xing | Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)

Medallist and Bachelor of Economics (Honours) graduate Elizabeth Baldwin said her passion for her study area and the support of her cohort gave her the drive to succeed.

 “From my first ECON1010 lecture I found economics a completely absorbing topic, which I think was ultimately the thing that helped me most,” Ms Baldwin said.

“It’s much easier to study something you’re genuinely interested in.

“And the late nights and weekends in Chamberlain during honours were much more bearable being surrounded by others going through the same thing.”

School of Economics honours class of 2019
Elizabeth Baldwin (back row, second from the right) with members of the School of Economics honours class of 2019

This keen interest in economics led Ms Baldwin to win several major academic accolades.

In 2016, she secured first place in the Reserve Bank of Australia essay competition, writing on the topic of economic policy options at low interest rates.

She followed this achievement by winning the 2017 Treasury essay competition with an entry on Australia’s future economic prosperity, as well as second place in the 2018 competition.

“Entering these competitions was one of the most valuable things I did during my degree,” Ms Baldwin said.

“They really helped me to develop my ability to research independently, formulate an argument and write cogently, which are skills I’m now using at work.”

University medallist Elizabeth Baldwin with Head of School Professor Daniel Zizzo
Elizabeth Baldwin with Head of School Professor Daniel Zizzo 

Ms Baldwin initially completed a Bachelor of Economics before progressing to her honours year in 2019.

Although her time at UQ was packed with highlights, some of her favourite moments are linked to the research experiences she had during her undergraduate and honours studies.

“I participated in the undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship Program at the Institute for Social Science Research,” Ms Baldwin said.

“Following that program, I completed my honours thesis with Dr Jonas Fooken and Dr David Rowell at the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health last year.

“I learnt a lot from both experiences: about social and health issues, data analysis and different types of research and work.”

After graduation in 2019, Ms Baldwin moved to Canberra to start work as a graduate research economist at the Productivity Commission, where she is making the most of the research skill set she honed at UQ.

Reflecting on her student experience, Ms Baldwin said she had one crucial piece of advice for current economics students looking to succeed.

“Define your own economics pathway!” Ms Baldwin said.

“I’m a member of the Women in Economics Network, which is a great organisation that works to overturn stereotypes about what studying and working in economics looks like.

“Working as an economist is fundamentally just about having a consistent way of thinking through issues – whether in financial markets, health care or education policy.”

Contact: BEL Communications, media@bel.uq.edu.au

Last updated:
26 May 2021