Dr. Roi Livne

Biography

Roi Livne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the intersections of new sociology, morality, culture, science and technology studies, medical sociology, and economic sociology. Livne's work critically examines the relationship between moral considerations and the material realities of capitalism, particularly in the context of the U.S. healthcare system, which constitutes 18 percent of the national GDP. His methodological approach employs extended-case methods, utilizing micro and meso-level ethnographic observations to illuminate broader theoretical questions and analyze the structural forces that manifest in day-to-day life. Livne's book, Values at the End of Life, discusses the emergence of a multi-billion dollar industry around end-of-life decision-making, highlighting the moral imperatives, professional practices, and societal sentiments that guide clinicians and patients alike. His current research includes studying the moral economy of pricing in U.S. healthcare and exploring the sociological implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Interests

Courses