Onur Kesten

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Onur Kesten is a leading scholar in market design and mechanism design, with a particular focus on matching theory and its applications in education and resource allocation. His work bridges theoretical models and experimental evidence, most notably in his highly cited study "Matching in the Large: An Experimental Study" (2017), which investigates how market size influences the performance of the Boston and Deferred Acceptance mechanisms. By scaling laboratory markets from 4 to 40 students, Kesten demonstrated that larger markets significantly alter strategic behavior and efficiency outcomes—a finding with profound implications for school choice systems worldwide. His research has garnered over 3 citations and continues to shape policy debates on centralized matching platforms. Beyond this, Kesten has made foundational contributions to understanding strategy-proofness, stability, and welfare in matching markets, earning him recognition as a key figure in experimental economics. His work is essential reading for students and researchers interested in how institutional design can improve real-world allocation processes, from public school admissions to kidney exchange.