Max Haiven

Dr. Max Haiven is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Lakehead University, where he has been employed since January 2017. He holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair in the Radical Imagination (Tier 2) and co-directs the ReImagining Value Action Lab (RiVAL). His teaching spans English, Social Justice Studies, and Media Studies programs.

Haiven's research critically examines capitalism's cultural dimensions, with emphasis on financialization, social movements, and the radical imagination. His work bridges cultural studies, political economy, critical theory, and media studies. Key research trajectories include: the politics of gamification and financialization; conspiracy theories in late capitalism; colonial legacies in economic systems; worker resistance strategies (particularly at Amazon); and the role of art in economic critique.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent engagement with capitalism's evolving cultural logics, particularly through the lenses of game theory, financialized subjectivity, colonial continuities, and resistance aesthetics. His work demonstrates methodological innovation through participatory action research, game design, and speculative fiction workshops.

Honors include:

• Canada Research Chair in the Radical Imagination (Tier 2)

Haiven leads significant collaborative projects: directing RiVAL lab activities; editing the VAGABONDS book series for Pluto Press; producing research-driven podcasts (e.g., Against the Fascist Game, The Workers' Speculative Society); and developing critical board games (Billionaires & Guillotines, Clue-Anon). He supervises projects like the Worker as Futurist initiative, facilitating speculative fiction writing with Amazon workers.