Alex Chan
@alex8chan.bsky.social
Econ prof @HarvardHBS; PhD @Stanford; ex-Fortune 5 Healthcare SVP; ex-@McKinsey; 🐈⬛, 🍀 and 🚂 enthusiast
Reposted by Alex Chan
This week’s Taboo & Repugnant Roundup: a NYT guest essay questioning whether prediction markets are dangerous, the game Organ Attack discussed on the Market Design blog, and a short HBS video on markets and transplantation featuring @alex8chan.bsky.social
Taboo and Repugnant Roundup (Week of 2/2/26)
"Dangerous" prediction markets, a game (not really) for the organ trafficker in your life, and Alex Chan on market design
tinyurl.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:52 PM
This week’s Taboo & Repugnant Roundup: a NYT guest essay questioning whether prediction markets are dangerous, the game Organ Attack discussed on the Market Design blog, and a short HBS video on markets and transplantation featuring @alex8chan.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Chan
Incentives matter (you get more of what you measure).
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/rede...
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/rede...
Redesigning transplant and OPO center incentives (Chan and Roth in JAMA; Bae, Sweat, Melcher and Ashlagi in JAMA Surgery)
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Incentives matter (you get more of what you measure).
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/rede...
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/rede...
Dovetails with Chan-Roth 2024 @jpolecon.bsky.social: aligning incentives across the transplant supply chain can saves lives and billions! @CMSGov #transplantation #Healthcare @alroth.bsky.social
💬 Viewpoint: The CMS IOTA model incentivizes increased kidney transplants by rewarding volume, organ acceptance, and short-term graft survival, but risks remain for equitable access and long-term patient outcomes among those with end-stage kidney disease.
ja.ma/49UolQD
ja.ma/49UolQD
January 26, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Dovetails with Chan-Roth 2024 @jpolecon.bsky.social: aligning incentives across the transplant supply chain can saves lives and billions! @CMSGov #transplantation #Healthcare @alroth.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Chan
Mike Rees, the founder of the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation (APKD) describes how (with the help of a grant from Stanford) the APKD is helping Brazilian transplant docs get kidney exchange going there.
#brazil #econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/kidn...
#brazil #econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/kidn...
Kidney exchange in Brazil (a clinical trial)
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Mike Rees, the founder of the Alliance for Paired Kidney Donation (APKD) describes how (with the help of a grant from Stanford) the APKD is helping Brazilian transplant docs get kidney exchange going there.
#brazil #econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/kidn...
#brazil #econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2026/01/kidn...
Reposted by Alex Chan
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie... John Kagel cultivated the experimental lab and culture at Pitt that we still enjoy. we all know his auction expts, but he also had a long-standing interest in animal behavior, e.g. Demand Curves for Animal Consumers, Commodity-Choice Behavior with Pigeons as Subjects
January 7, 2026 at 2:56 AM
www.legacy.com/us/obituarie... John Kagel cultivated the experimental lab and culture at Pitt that we still enjoy. we all know his auction expts, but he also had a long-standing interest in animal behavior, e.g. Demand Curves for Animal Consumers, Commodity-Choice Behavior with Pigeons as Subjects
Reposted by Alex Chan
much discussion of the wages of medical residents ignores that many residency positions are paid at rates established by Medicare, which also has a big influence on the number of residency positions.
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/medi...
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/medi...
Medicare funding of medical residencies
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:09 PM
much discussion of the wages of medical residents ignores that many residency positions are paid at rates established by Medicare, which also has a big influence on the number of residency positions.
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/medi...
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/medi...
Reposted by Alex Chan
Today's NYT writes about the largest kidney exchange network, a private company with opaque finances called National Kidney Registry (NKR). The story also raises questions about some of the promises NKR makes through a voucher program.
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/nkr-...
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/nkr-...
NKR in the NYT
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Today's NYT writes about the largest kidney exchange network, a private company with opaque finances called National Kidney Registry (NKR). The story also raises questions about some of the promises NKR makes through a voucher program.
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/nkr-...
#econsky #medicine
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/nkr-...
Reposted by Alex Chan
Erik has been thinking about AI for a long time (even if not as long as the folks I posted about yesterday).
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/erik...
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/erik...
Erik Brynjolfsson interviewed in Newsweek
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Erik has been thinking about AI for a long time (even if not as long as the folks I posted about yesterday).
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/erik...
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/erik...
Why do we turn away from Explainable AI (#XAI)/#interpretability? Strategically or unwittingly. @harvard.edu #HBS
d3.harvard.edu/explanations...
d3.harvard.edu/explanations...
Explanations on Mute: Why We Turn Away From Explainable AI | Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard
We live in an age where the call for transparent or “Explainable AI” (XAI) has never been louder. Businesses agree, with 85% believing transparency is
d3.harvard.edu
December 23, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Why do we turn away from Explainable AI (#XAI)/#interpretability? Strategically or unwittingly. @harvard.edu #HBS
d3.harvard.edu/explanations...
d3.harvard.edu/explanations...
Reposted by Alex Chan
The NYT reports with concern the number of foreign citizens receiving organs from deceased donors. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed is how many foreign citizens who die while visiting the US become deceased organ donors?
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
#econsky
The national politics of deceased organ donation
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The NYT reports with concern the number of foreign citizens receiving organs from deceased donors. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed is how many foreign citizens who die while visiting the US become deceased organ donors?
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
#econsky
Reposted by Alex Chan
DEADLINE TODAY: The NBER Race and Stratification Working Group will have its annual meeting on Friday, March 27, 2026. @franciscaantman.bsky.social, Bocar Ba, Robynn Cox and I are organizing the program. Submit your paper today! @nber.org #Econsky www.nber.org/conferences/...
Economics of Race and Stratification, Spring 2026
www.nber.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
DEADLINE TODAY: The NBER Race and Stratification Working Group will have its annual meeting on Friday, March 27, 2026. @franciscaantman.bsky.social, Bocar Ba, Robynn Cox and I are organizing the program. Submit your paper today! @nber.org #Econsky www.nber.org/conferences/...
Reposted by Alex Chan
Check out the rest of Pitt JM candidate @jiaweilyu.bsky.social 's exciting research too: sites.google.com/view/jiaweil...
December 11, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Check out the rest of Pitt JM candidate @jiaweilyu.bsky.social 's exciting research too: sites.google.com/view/jiaweil...
My first Southern Economic Association SEA conference! 📢📢 giving a talk on defaults at 2:00-3:45 🌴🌴 I am hoping to meet more folks! (Please DM or email, esp. job market candidates) #southerneconomicassociation #econtwitter @southerneconj.bsky.social
November 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
My first Southern Economic Association SEA conference! 📢📢 giving a talk on defaults at 2:00-3:45 🌴🌴 I am hoping to meet more folks! (Please DM or email, esp. job market candidates) #southerneconomicassociation #econtwitter @southerneconj.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Chan
A NYT Magazine feature on a 68-year-old woman facing felony charges after forging documents for a surrogacy arrangement raises sharp questions about parental age limits, reproductive autonomy, and criminalization. More analysis in this week’s review:
open.substack.com/pub/kimberly...
open.substack.com/pub/kimberly...
Taboo and Repugnant Roundup (Week of 11/17)
Thoughts on taboo trades, repugnant markets, and academia this week
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
A NYT Magazine feature on a 68-year-old woman facing felony charges after forging documents for a surrogacy arrangement raises sharp questions about parental age limits, reproductive autonomy, and criminalization. More analysis in this week’s review:
open.substack.com/pub/kimberly...
open.substack.com/pub/kimberly...
Had an amazing time at the @pennchibe.bsky.social conference!! Thanks to Kevin Volpp and the incredible organizing committee! (Thanks @katymilkman.bsky.social!!)
Alex Chan shares an updated take on how much opt-out organ donation matters. Does switching to this policy actually increase organs donated? Only in countries where consent is interpreted strictly (without requiring the additional consent of next of kin). @pennchibe.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Had an amazing time at the @pennchibe.bsky.social conference!! Thanks to Kevin Volpp and the incredible organizing committee! (Thanks @katymilkman.bsky.social!!)
Reposted by Alex Chan
⏰ We are hiring on the junior market! ⏰
Multiple open positions at the Oxford Department of Economics:
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
2 positions associate professor open field, 1 position development econ.
cc @oxfordecondept.bsky.social
Multiple open positions at the Oxford Department of Economics:
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
2 positions associate professor open field, 1 position development econ.
cc @oxfordecondept.bsky.social
EJM - Econ Job Market
The automated language-translation service on econjobmarlet.org is provided free by Google Translate, a third party service. Google is wholly responsible for the translation service. Econ Job…
econjobmarket.org
November 1, 2025 at 3:30 PM
⏰ We are hiring on the junior market! ⏰
Multiple open positions at the Oxford Department of Economics:
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
2 positions associate professor open field, 1 position development econ.
cc @oxfordecondept.bsky.social
Multiple open positions at the Oxford Department of Economics:
econjobmarket.org/positions?sh...
2 positions associate professor open field, 1 position development econ.
cc @oxfordecondept.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Chan
Practical market design is alive and well in Israel.
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/mark...
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/mark...
Market Design Impact Award to Hassidim, Romm, and Shorrer
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Practical market design is alive and well in Israel.
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/mark...
#econsky
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/mark...
Reposted by Alex Chan
Current laws on organ donation might reasonably lead one to conclude that society disapproves of saving lives via transplantation.
#econsky #medicine #repugnance
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/fune...
#econsky #medicine #repugnance
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/fune...
Funeral expense reimbursement to enhance organ donation and transplantation , by Chan and Sweat
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Current laws on organ donation might reasonably lead one to conclude that society disapproves of saving lives via transplantation.
#econsky #medicine #repugnance
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/fune...
#econsky #medicine #repugnance
marketdesigner.blogspot.com/2025/10/fune...
Reposted by Alex Chan
New paper by @alex8chan.bsky.social & Kurt Sweat, via @alroth.bsky.social
Abstract: We propose amending [NOTA] to permit reimbursement of funeral expenses for deceased organ donors, analogous to current practices for whole-body donors.
Abstract: We propose amending [NOTA] to permit reimbursement of funeral expenses for deceased organ donors, analogous to current practices for whole-body donors.
Funeral expense reimbursement as a strategy to enhance organ donation and transplantation access - npj Health Systems
npj Health Systems - Funeral expense reimbursement as a strategy to enhance organ donation and transplantation access
www.nature.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
New paper by @alex8chan.bsky.social & Kurt Sweat, via @alroth.bsky.social
Abstract: We propose amending [NOTA] to permit reimbursement of funeral expenses for deceased organ donors, analogous to current practices for whole-body donors.
Abstract: We propose amending [NOTA] to permit reimbursement of funeral expenses for deceased organ donors, analogous to current practices for whole-body donors.
The most anticipated book for 2026! I pre-ordered my copies already!
October 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The most anticipated book for 2026! I pre-ordered my copies already!
Reposted by Alex Chan
Seeking PhD students for 2026 @ UT Dallas! In the Early Cognition & Communication Lab, we explore the development of communication, abstract thought, and social bonds and consider the role of early exposure to AI. Apply by Nov 15, 2025 bbs.utdallas.edu/departments/... #phdlife #DevSci #CogSci
Psychology PhD
Psychology PhD The Psychology PhD degree program offers advanced study and research training for students seeking to become leading scientists and scholars in the field The Psychology PhD degree progr...
bbs.utdallas.edu
October 24, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Seeking PhD students for 2026 @ UT Dallas! In the Early Cognition & Communication Lab, we explore the development of communication, abstract thought, and social bonds and consider the role of early exposure to AI. Apply by Nov 15, 2025 bbs.utdallas.edu/departments/... #phdlife #DevSci #CogSci
My friend Mark Granovetter’s famous paper on #weakties is cited more than 3X more than Acemoglu, Johnson, Robinson’s Nobel-winning masterpiece - it’s worth a read! (A delicious, congruent pairing is work by the ⭐️W.D.Eberle Chair @Stanford.edu)
October 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
My friend Mark Granovetter’s famous paper on #weakties is cited more than 3X more than Acemoglu, Johnson, Robinson’s Nobel-winning masterpiece - it’s worth a read! (A delicious, congruent pairing is work by the ⭐️W.D.Eberle Chair @Stanford.edu)
Back at #Tucson for #ESA conference!! It’s going to be 🤩! Can’t wait to see everyone! PLUG: stop by tomorrow (😇😇 Friday 10am for the AI session at Ocotillo), I want your feedback and thoughts on my new work on Explainable AI #XAI #interpretability
October 10, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Back at #Tucson for #ESA conference!! It’s going to be 🤩! Can’t wait to see everyone! PLUG: stop by tomorrow (😇😇 Friday 10am for the AI session at Ocotillo), I want your feedback and thoughts on my new work on Explainable AI #XAI #interpretability
Reposted by Alex Chan
Citation laureates in Economics: Autor & Katz, Bertrand & Mullainathan, and Bloom
marketdesigner.blogspot.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM