Rate Professor Onur Kesten

Professional Summary: Professor Onur Kesten

Professor Onur Kesten is a distinguished academic at the University of Sydney, recognized for his contributions to economics, particularly in the fields of market design, matching theory, and game theory. With a robust academic background and a career spanning multiple prestigious institutions, he has made significant impacts through his research, teaching, and service to the academic community.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Kesten holds advanced degrees in economics, reflecting his deep expertise in the field:

• Ph.D. in Economics, University of Rochester, USA (2005)
• M.A. in Economics, University of Rochester, USA
• B.A. in Economics, Bilkent University, Turkey

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Kesten’s research primarily focuses on:

• Market design and matching theory, with applications to education and organ allocation
• Game theory and mechanism design
• Economic theory and resource allocation problems

His work addresses real-world issues such as school choice mechanisms and kidney exchange programs, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical policy solutions.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Kesten has held several notable academic positions:

• Professor of Economics, University of Sydney, School of Economics (present)
• Associate Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business, USA (prior to Sydney)
• Assistant Professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business, USA

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Kesten has been recognized for his scholarly contributions with several accolades:

• Multiple research grants for projects in market design and matching theory
• Recognition for impactful contributions to school choice and organ allocation mechanisms

Key Publications

Professor Kesten has authored numerous influential papers in top-tier journals. A selection of his key works includes:

• “School Choice: The Case for the Boston Mechanism” (with M. Utku Ünver), American Economic Review, 2009
• “Matching with Slot-Specific Priorities: Theory” (with M. Utku Ünver), Theoretical Economics, 2015
• “Efficient and Essentially Stable Assignments” (with Morimitsu Kurino), Games and Economic Behavior, 2020
• Multiple contributions to journals such as Journal of Economic Theory and Econometrica

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Kesten’s research has had a profound impact on the field of market design, particularly in the design of allocation mechanisms for schools and organ transplants. His work on matching theory has informed policy debates and practical implementations worldwide, bridging the gap between theoretical economics and real-world applications. His contributions are frequently cited by peers and policymakers alike, establishing him as a leading figure in his area of expertise.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Kesten is actively engaged in the broader academic community:

• Regular presenter at international conferences on economics and market design
• Reviewer and editorial board member for leading economics journals
• Contributor to workshops and seminars on matching theory and economic policy