Judd B. Kessler

Judd B. Kessler is the Howard Marks Professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches courses in behavioral economics, experimental economics, and public policy. His academic journey began with a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University in 2004, followed by an M.Phil. in Economics from Cambridge University in 2005, and culminated with a Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard University in 2011.

Professor Kessler's research focuses on the intersection of experimental economics, public economics, behavioral economics, and market design. He investigates the economic and psychological forces that motivate individuals to contribute to public goods, with applications including organ donation, worker effort, and charitable giving. He also explores market design innovations, emphasizing the practical implementation of theoretical models in areas such as course allocation and organ allocation priority systems. His work often employs laboratory and field experiments to generate insights with real-world policy implications.

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on understanding human behavior in economic contexts and designing interventions to improve social outcomes. Kessler's work spans multiple domains including labor markets, charitable giving, organ donation systems, and educational settings. His research has increasingly emphasized gender differences in self-promotion, subtle discrimination mechanisms in hiring, and the design of effective policy interventions that account for behavioral factors.

• Vernon L. Smith Ascending Scholar Prize (2021)
• Named "30 under 30" in Law and Policy by Forbes Magazine (2012)
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pioneer Portfolio Grant (2012)
• Roger Martin Award for Excellence in Business Economics, Harvard Business School (2011)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2005-2008)

Professor Kessler has received significant research funding, including a $150,400 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Donaghue Foundation for his project "Using Behavioral Economics to Promote Medication Adherence and Habit Formation." His research has been published in top-tier journals including the American Economic Review, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Management Science. He frequently collaborates with leading scholars in economics and related fields, and his work has been featured in major media outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Bloomberg.