William Thomson

William Thomson is the Elmer B. Milliman Distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester, located in Harkness Hall. He holds a PhD from Stanford University (1976) and specializes in game theory, equity theory, and mechanism design. His research focuses on fair division, bargaining, and resource allocation under variable-population conditions. Thomson is affiliated with the Department of Economics within the School of Arts & Sciences.

Thomson’s work bridges axiomatic analysis and practical resource allocation challenges, such as bankruptcy problems, taxation, and queueing systems. He has authored influential textbooks like A Guide for the Young Economist and contributed to foundational surveys in the Handbook of Social Choice and Welfare. His recent research explores consistency principles, strategy-proof mechanisms, and the axiomatic foundations of economic design.

Thomson’s publications span over 50 years, with notable contributions to Mathematics of Operations Research, Econometrica, and Journal of Economic Theory. His axiomatic approach has redefined fair allocation rules, addressing paradoxes in population monotonicity and variable-population bargaining.

• Education: PhD in Economics, Stanford University, 1976
• Key Themes: Fair division, axiomatic bargaining, resource allocation under scarcity, and social choice theory

Thomson’s advising and grants are reflected in his mentorship of graduate students and leadership in economic research initiatives. His work is central to the Rochester Center for Economic Research.