KENNEBUNK — A sober, academic research paper on the sociology of gender identity may not top many peoples’ lists when it comes to must-read mainstream entertainment. But a novel that explores those themes ”“ that may be a different story.

That’s the theory behind arts-based research, which merges social or scientific study with the creative arts. One of the most influential leaders in promoting ABR, as it’s known in the field, is Dr. Patricia Leavy of Kennebunk, and it’s that distinction which earned her the 2014 American Creativity Association Special Achievement Award on Sept. 12 in Philadelphia.

The idea is simple: To share otherwise esoteric research-based information with the public in an easily digestible way, the research is distilled and conveyed through the use of popular artistic mediums, whether they be novels, plays, or short story and poetry collections.

“One of the things it allows us to do is make research more accessible to the public,” said Leavy, who acknowledged that a stern paper in an industry journal is hardly most peoples’ cup of tea. “Unless someone has a degree in the field, there’s no way they can make heads or tails of it.”

During her 10 years as a professor at institutions such as Boston College, Northeastern University and Curry College, Leavy would increasingly find herself frustrated by an inability to reach a larger audience with her findings in the field of sociology. This led her to investigate what other academics were doing to bridge the gap ”“ and when she discovered arts-based research, she expanded her writing repertoire to include fiction.

In 2011, that led to her first novel, “Low-Fat Love.” And while she is author to scores of other works, both fiction and nonfiction, the venture that captured the attention of the ACA was her founding of the “Social Fictions” book series, an outlet for researchers to spread and disseminate their information in a palatable form.

According to the ACA, it’s the first book series ever published by an academic press that is written entirely in literary forms, but grounded in scholarly research. Leavy said it didn’t take long to find content for the first edition; as it turns out, there’s no shortage of academic professionals with novels and other creative works, looking for just that kind of outlet.

And judging by the reception, she said, there’s no shortage of readers willing to play audience to it.

“People can engage with it in their own way,” said Leavy. “They don’t feel like they’re being lectured to, or told what to think.”

To this day, Leavy gets submissions for the publication on at least a weekly basis. A statement from the ACA reads: “The ”˜Social Fictions’ series represents a watershed moment … and is a landmark achievement. Dr. Leavy’s work has had a profound impact on research practices and the dissemination of research findings within and beyond the academy on an international scale, and for this we honor her as a visionary.”

In addition to two novels, Leavy is the author of 14 nonfiction books, many of them themed on innovative approaches to research methodology, she said. Next, she’s planning a novel exploring race, and how racial identity impacts people.

Leavy is the first sociologist to receive the ACA award. When Leavy discovered she had earned the honor, she said she was shocked.

“This book series has been a labor of love,” she said. “To have that work recognized is very gratifying for me.”

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or [email protected].