David Ong's home page

Experimental Applied Microeconomist

I study how rankings and observable signals shape search and matching in markets. My work uses field and platform-based experiments to test when simple scalar indices—such as height, income, or educational rank—fail to capture multidimensional preferences and equilibrium outcomes.

A central focus of my research is when complex traits can be summarized by scalar rankings and when such compression breaks down. My current work develops experimental approaches to measure pair-specific compatibility using randomized interactions and high-dimensional behavioral data, and to test whether compatibility can be represented by a scalar index or requires a multidimensional structure.

Across projects, I combine experimental variation, survey measures of preferences, and large-scale behavioral data from online platforms. This approach allows me to identify preference structures and trace how they map into matching outcomes, partner selection, and household inequality.

My work has been published in the Journal of Development Economics, the European Economic Review, and the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization.

Research Fields

Experimental Economics, Applied Microeconomics, Matching and Market Design, Platforms and Information Design 

Current Affiliation

Jinan University–University of Birmingham Joint Institute

Recent Visiting Positions (2026)

University of Chicago (Visitor, hosted by Ali Hortaçsu)
Michigan State University (Visiting Scholar)

Invited Talks (Selected)

NYU, Matching Theory Seminar (hosted by Alfred Galichon), 2026