At The University of Western Australia, the journey from classroom learning to real-world impact is often shaped by meaningful industry partnerships.
Since 2018, the Metrix Consulting Prize in Marketing Research has helped open pathways for students to translate their academic excellence into practical industry opportunities.
Established by Metrix Consulting – a market research and strategy firm dedicated to turning data into clear, practical direction – the prize reflects Metrix's long-standing commitment to developing emerging talent and giving back to UWA and the wider market research industry.
Through years of guest lecturing and collaboration with UWA’s Marketing Research unit, Metrix recognised something distinctive in its students: an ability to bridge theory with practical, real-world application.
The prize was created to celebrate that potential, recognise high-performing students and provide greater exposure to the market research profession. The prize is awarded to the student with the highest score in the Marketing Research unit.
Over time, its impact has deepened. Each recipient steps into an immersive internship experience, working on real client challenges and contributing to purposeful projects. For some, this opportunity becomes the foundation of a career.
Madison Liddelow, the inaugural 2018 prize recipient, said the subject ignited in her a lasting passion, seeing for the first time how data could influence decisions and drive meaningful outcomes.
“I was particularly drawn to the balance between analytical precision and practical application, and how insights can directly influence strategy and outcomes,” Madison said.
Image: Madison Liddelow (right) with Marquis Pohla, Founder and Managing Director of Metrix Consulting.
Madison worked at Metrix for almost two years, turning her curiosity into capability. She developed strong technical skills across qualitative and quantitative research, while learning how to translate complexity into clarity – transforming data into insights that people could act on. Today, she brings that same mindset to her role in Prospect Research at UWA, uncovering opportunities and guiding strategic engagement.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Metrix Consulting for giving me my first opportunity in the industry,” Madison said. “It was a formative experience that shaped both my technical skillset and the way I approach marketing and consumer insight today.”
The prize has been equally transformative for 2024 recipient Anastasia Hendrawan, offering clarity at a pivotal moment in her studies. A fourth-year student completing a double degree in psychology and marketing, Anastasia has long been driven by a curiosity about how people think and what they value. The eight-week internship opened a new perspective.
“This internship has had a significant impact on my professional direction,” she said. “Before joining Metrix Consulting, I felt uncertain about my career path. Through the placement, I developed new skills and discovered a genuine interest in market research as a potential career pathway.”
Image: Anastasia Hendrawan during her internship with Metrix Consulting.
“Thank you to Metrix Consulting for offering the prize and the opportunity to intern at the company. It was great getting to know and bond with each other, as well as getting involved with the work you do for major companies.”
Eight years on, the Metrix Consulting Prize continues to recognise excellence, unlock potential and help cultivate the next generation of research professionals.
By empowering students to turn insight into action, it ensures their ideas don’t just inform the future – they help create it.