About
Matthew Hayday is a Professor and Department Chair of History at the University of Guelph since 2022. Holding a Ph.D. (2003) and M.A. (1999) from the University of Ottawa and a B.A. (1998) from the University of Toronto, he has served in various academic roles including SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow, Adjunct Assistant Professor, and WP Bell Postdoctoral Fellow. Currently teaching HIST*3160 in 2024-25, he supervises graduate students in Canadian political history, Quebec studies, public policy, social movements, and commemoration practices.
- Ph.D., University of Ottawa
- M.A., University of Ottawa
- B.A., University of Toronto
His research explores Canadian political history, language policy, nationalism, and federalism, with a focus on bilingualism, identity politics, and Canada Day celebrations. Recent scholarship examines Progressive Conservative ideology, Canadian television's role in nation-building, and social movement impacts on language education. He co-edits the Canadian Historical Review and leads a SSHRC-funded project on Joe Clark's political biography.
Notable trends in his publications include analyses of Canadian television's cultural nationalism, bilingual education policies, and constitutional debates. His work spans both official languages, reflecting expertise in Quebec-English Canada relations and policy implementation challenges.
- SSHRC Insight Grant (2017-24 with extension)
- SSHRC Connection Grants (2020-22, 2014-15)
- SSHRC Standard Research Grant (2008-11)
Hayday has contributed extensively to academic conferences, addressing topics like Canadian foreign policy, national identity construction, and language policy implementation. His editorial work includes co-editing two volumes of Celebrating Canada, focusing on national symbols and identity formation.
