Matt Van Essen

Matthew Van Essen is the Lena M. and Clarence A. Garvin, Sr. Professor and Dr. Joe Johnson Faculty Fellow in Economics at the University of Tennessee. His research focuses on game theory, mechanism design, public economics, and experimental economics, with an emphasis on fair division and public goods provision. He earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Arizona (2010), following an MA (2007) and BA (2005) from the University of Colorado.

His work addresses incentive problems in public good provision, fair allocation mechanisms, and strategic behavior in economic contexts. Notable research includes Lindahl taxation models, cooperative game solutions, and experimental studies on hypothetical bias reduction.

• Key awards: NSF Dissertation Improvement Grant, Ed Zajac Prize, and multiple teaching awards from the University of Arizona and University of Alabama.
• Grants: University of Alabama Summer Excellence in Research Grants (2015, 2019) and Summer I Research Grants (2011–2014).

Van Essen’s experimental economics work evaluates bias in survey methodologies, while his mechanism design studies bridge theory and application in fair division and auction systems. Ongoing research explores dynamic partnership dissolution and secure contract design to mitigate conflicts.