Patricia Leavy, PhD is a bestselling, award-winning author and sociologist She has published more than 40 books, earning critical and commercial success in both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been translated into many languages. Her website is www.patricialeavy.com.
What helps one to become a prolific author? What inspires us? What's our spark? In this blog I ta... more What helps one to become a prolific author? What inspires us? What's our spark? In this blog I take you through a visual tour of my home office to talk about objects and inspiration. I invite you to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #whatsyourspark
I’m a sociologist specializing in research methodology. I’m also a novelist. When my latest novel... more I’m a sociologist specializing in research methodology. I’m also a novelist. When my latest novel, Spark, was released, people remarked that it seemed inevitable for me to combine my two passions. I agree. In some ways this is probably always where my work was heading, although it necessarily took a long time to get here. I’d like to share why as a scholar I turned to fiction, the inspiration for Spark, and my hopes for the book.
In this conversation, Paula Cole and Patricia Leavy talk about building a long career in a creati... more In this conversation, Paula Cole and Patricia Leavy talk about building a long career in a creative industry, how to navigate the business side of music and publishing, challenges they've faced as women in the arts, and more.
In this piece, written for my teenage daughter, I share what I have learned personally and from i... more In this piece, written for my teenage daughter, I share what I have learned personally and from interviewing hundreds of women about how to value self. I share the things I know for certain.
This essay details how writer's block led me to a new creative path and collaboration, resulting ... more This essay details how writer's block led me to a new creative path and collaboration, resulting in the book Low-Fat Love Stories (my first collaboration with a visual artist). The book takes in-depth interviews with women about dissatisfying relationships and transforms them into short stories and visual art meant to counter those we typically see in pop culture. Fairytales have an underside.
A blog about how fiction is effective for teaching sociology to student and public audiences and ... more A blog about how fiction is effective for teaching sociology to student and public audiences and the three major sociological lessons in my novel, Blue.
"Claiming there is no price to pay for speaking up against inequality is akin to colorblindness. ... more "Claiming there is no price to pay for speaking up against inequality is akin to colorblindness. It may be well intentioned, but it is a dangerous lie. When a kid says that they “don’t see race” they may have the best of intentions. They may intend to say, “I don’t judge people based on their race” or “I respect people of all races.” However, saying they do not see race is untrue. They do in fact see race. Even if well-intentioned, this untruth can do far more harm than good. The same is true when those of us who speak up on behalf of justice issues claim there is no price to pay or the price is irrelevant. It’s a beautiful but dangerous lie."
What helps one to become a prolific author? What inspires us? What's our spark? In this blog I ta... more What helps one to become a prolific author? What inspires us? What's our spark? In this blog I take you through a visual tour of my home office to talk about objects and inspiration. I invite you to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #whatsyourspark
I’m a sociologist specializing in research methodology. I’m also a novelist. When my latest novel... more I’m a sociologist specializing in research methodology. I’m also a novelist. When my latest novel, Spark, was released, people remarked that it seemed inevitable for me to combine my two passions. I agree. In some ways this is probably always where my work was heading, although it necessarily took a long time to get here. I’d like to share why as a scholar I turned to fiction, the inspiration for Spark, and my hopes for the book.
In this conversation, Paula Cole and Patricia Leavy talk about building a long career in a creati... more In this conversation, Paula Cole and Patricia Leavy talk about building a long career in a creative industry, how to navigate the business side of music and publishing, challenges they've faced as women in the arts, and more.
In this piece, written for my teenage daughter, I share what I have learned personally and from i... more In this piece, written for my teenage daughter, I share what I have learned personally and from interviewing hundreds of women about how to value self. I share the things I know for certain.
This essay details how writer's block led me to a new creative path and collaboration, resulting ... more This essay details how writer's block led me to a new creative path and collaboration, resulting in the book Low-Fat Love Stories (my first collaboration with a visual artist). The book takes in-depth interviews with women about dissatisfying relationships and transforms them into short stories and visual art meant to counter those we typically see in pop culture. Fairytales have an underside.
A blog about how fiction is effective for teaching sociology to student and public audiences and ... more A blog about how fiction is effective for teaching sociology to student and public audiences and the three major sociological lessons in my novel, Blue.
"Claiming there is no price to pay for speaking up against inequality is akin to colorblindness. ... more "Claiming there is no price to pay for speaking up against inequality is akin to colorblindness. It may be well intentioned, but it is a dangerous lie. When a kid says that they “don’t see race” they may have the best of intentions. They may intend to say, “I don’t judge people based on their race” or “I respect people of all races.” However, saying they do not see race is untrue. They do in fact see race. Even if well-intentioned, this untruth can do far more harm than good. The same is true when those of us who speak up on behalf of justice issues claim there is no price to pay or the price is irrelevant. It’s a beautiful but dangerous lie."
An interview with Patricia Leavy about Shooting Stars.
One of our favorite writers, Patricia Lea... more An interview with Patricia Leavy about Shooting Stars.
One of our favorite writers, Patricia Leavy, is back with a novel that is one of the most important books you’ll ever read. Shooting Stars is one of those books that, once you start, you cannot put down (yes, 4am bedtime, but happy!). It’s a story of courage, chosen family, and how love–in all aspects–can help heal and grow. It has stayed with me, and I cannot stop thinking about the themes, characters, and how we all need more of this goodness in our lives. Read this...you'll be SO glad you did. And then, like me, you'll recommend it to everyone you know. Good things are like that–you share.
An interview about Shooting Stars. Back cover synopsis:
Tess Lee is a novelist. Her inspiration... more An interview about Shooting Stars. Back cover synopsis:
Tess Lee is a novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself. The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story that asks the questions: What happens when people truly see each other? Can unconditional love change the way we see ourselves? Their friends are along for the ride: Omar, Tess’s sarcastic best friend who mysteriously calls her Butterfly; Joe, Jack’s friend from the Bureau who understands the sacrifices he’s made; and Bobby, Jack’s younger friend who never fails to lighten the mood. Shooting Stars is a novel about walking through our past traumas, moving from darkness to light, and the ways in which love – from lovers, friends, or the art we experience – heals us. Written as unfolding action, Shooting Stars is a poignant novel that moves fluidly between melancholy, humor, and joy.
For more than a decade, Dr. Patricia Leavy has been writing fiction as a means of addressing and ... more For more than a decade, Dr. Patricia Leavy has been writing fiction as a means of addressing and teaching sociological subject matter both within and outside of the academy. Dr. Leavy’s latest novel, Shooting Stars, has received rave endorsements from renowned sociologists and academics across the disciplines, each urging professors to teach with the book and lay citizens to pick it up for casual reading. The first novel in what will become a serial, it is perhaps her most ambitious project and has been called her “most powerful work to date” among other praise. Shooting Stars is an epic love story about how love can help us heal from past trauma. We’ve spoken with Dr. Leavy many times over the years and recently had a chance to chat about her bold new novel.
Rachel Rose at Workshop Muse interviewed me for her artful soul series. Watch our half an hour co... more Rachel Rose at Workshop Muse interviewed me for her artful soul series. Watch our half an hour conversation about how art helps us make sense of the world.
In this interview, sociologist Patricia Leavy introduces arts-based research, discusses how quali... more In this interview, sociologist Patricia Leavy introduces arts-based research, discusses how qualitative researchers can use fiction, and reviews her own practice of writing feminist novels including her latest release, Film.
In 2015, a diverse crowd from all corners of the planet convened at Schloss Leopoldskron, in Salz... more In 2015, a diverse crowd from all corners of the planet convened at Schloss Leopoldskron, in Salzburg, Austria, to identify and address emerging issues at the creative intersection of neuroscience and art. No small feat, you might imagine. At the end of the five-day program, however, participants including neuroscientists, artists, musicians, scholars, and journalists came together and made a vow to improve artistic and scientific collaboration.
During the program, entitled The Neuroscience of Art: What are the Sources of Creativity and Innovation?, participants came up with ideas involving imagination hubs, artist-in-residence programs, and the creation of an open-access interdisciplinary journal to bring artists and scientists closer together.
Among this crowd of 50 was author, sociologist, and arts-based researcher Patricia Leavy. At the time, Leavy had written 17 books – fiction and non-fiction - and was editing five book series. She was a recognized leader in arts-based and qualitative research. Her experience in Salzburg left her with the premise for a new novel: Spark. Salzburg Global recently caught up with Leavy to discuss her new book, her experience attending a program at Salzburg Global Seminar, and how she drew inspiration.
A wide-ranging interview with We Are the Real Deal about the inspiration behind Spark, the writin... more A wide-ranging interview with We Are the Real Deal about the inspiration behind Spark, the writing choices, and more.
This interview includes an in-depth discussion about my new book on contemporary feminism, my boo... more This interview includes an in-depth discussion about my new book on contemporary feminism, my book catalogue, publishing, being a series editor, advice to authors, academia, social media, and more.
Interview with We Are the Real Deal, March 2, 2018 that focuses on critical social justice work (... more Interview with We Are the Real Deal, March 2, 2018 that focuses on critical social justice work (includes an open call to three academic book series)
Interview with We Are the Real Deal, February 8, 2018 which focuses on fiction and social fiction... more Interview with We Are the Real Deal, February 8, 2018 which focuses on fiction and social fiction (includes an open call for book proposals)
A far-reaching interview that covers arts-based research, fiction and nonfiction, studying women'... more A far-reaching interview that covers arts-based research, fiction and nonfiction, studying women's lives, publishing advice, book contracts, and more.
This keynote conversation between Dr. Patricia Leavy and Dr. Michael Viega took place on March 10... more This keynote conversation between Dr. Patricia Leavy and Dr. Michael Viega took place on March 10, 2018 at the Arts-Based Research Symposium at SUNY-New Paltz.
An interview with the Sociological Imagination of research design and methodology contemporary ti... more An interview with the Sociological Imagination of research design and methodology contemporary times.
An interview with We Are the Real Deal about Research Design and contemporary knowledge-building ... more An interview with We Are the Real Deal about Research Design and contemporary knowledge-building practices.
An interview about a collaboration between a qualitative sociologist and a creative arts therapis... more An interview about a collaboration between a qualitative sociologist and a creative arts therapist/visual artist, which resulted in a book that takes women's interviews about dissatisfying relationships as well as body image, and presents them as short stories and portraits. The book presents alternatives to the narratives and image typically seen in popular culture.
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D. is an independent sociologist and best-selling author. She has published tw... more Patricia Leavy, Ph.D. is an independent sociologist and best-selling author. She has published twenty books, earning critical and commercial success in both nonfiction and fiction. A bona fide publishing maven, she is also the creator and editor for seven book series with Oxford University Press and Sense Publishers. She’s also a blogger for The Huffington Post and The Creativity Post. Patricia has received career awards from New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association Qualitative Special Interest Group, and the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. She is also a humanitarian, supporting organizations that assist survivors of sexual violence. We’ve spoken several times over the years. We had a chance to chat with Patricia about the release of her 20th book, an anniversary edition of her novel, American Circumstance, her advice to authors and how she looks back and places value personally and professionally.
Blue is the quintessential novel of young adults in NYC – exploring friendships, jobs, life, fami... more Blue is the quintessential novel of young adults in NYC – exploring friendships, jobs, life, family, relationships, and finding themselves. Set in current times with a love of the 1980s, it’s both a nostalgic look back (for those of us who grew up then, as well as those, like my teen daughter, who can’t get enough of that time period) and a deeply researched sociological novel about growing up and finding your place in the world. Blue includes music, art, film, tv, and aspects of daily life for a 20-something in New York. Here’s the thing: while this is a short book, it’s an eminently readable, thoughtful, satisfying one – the kind of book where you start and then just read until you’re done, no interruptions and much joy. It can – and should – be used in university classrooms for a variety of subjects, but it is also meant to be read outside of the university – for yourself, or with your book club. There’s much to ponder, and discuss, but also much to ingest, reflect upon, and relate to your own life. I couldn’t put it down, absolutely loved it, and can’t stop thinking about it. Highly recommended. We were lucky enough to catch up with Dr. Leavy, and ask her about Blue, inspiration, finding your tribe, memory, and more. Here’s what she had to say…
An interview about editing academic book series, writing sociological research as fiction, pop cu... more An interview about editing academic book series, writing sociological research as fiction, pop culture, feminism, and the influence ofTori Amos,
Ideal for courses in multiple disciplines, the third edition of this award-winning text has been ... more Ideal for courses in multiple disciplines, the third edition of this award-winning text has been revised and updated with new topics, examples, and guiding questions to introduce each chapter's sections. Patricia Leavy presents a practical guide to the full range of arts-based research (ABR) genres-narrative inquiry, fiction-based research, poetry, music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art. Each genre-specific chapter is paired with an exemplary research article or online video link (at the companion website). Following a consistent format, chapters review how the technique was developed, explore its methodological variations and the kind of research questio ns it can address, and describe diverse sample studies. Checklists and practical advice help readers harness the power of these innovative techniques for their own studies or dissertations.
From Patricia Leavy, a leader in arts-based research, this is the first comprehensive guide to wh... more From Patricia Leavy, a leader in arts-based research, this is the first comprehensive guide to what social fiction is and how to write it. In an engaging, personal tone, Leavy explores the unique contribution that creative writing-such as novels, series, and short stories-can make to addressing qualitative research questions. In-depth discussions of narrative models (such as the three-act structure) and elements (such as plot, metaphor, dialogue) are accompanied by excerpts from Leavy's published fiction, reflections on the writing process, and technical suggestions. The book offers evaluation criteria for social fiction as well as practical publishing advice. Instructive features include "tip bubbles" with additional writing hints, end-of-chapter "Skill-Building" and "Rethink Your Research" exercises, and an appendix with suggested readings .
Candy Floss Collection is a set of three previously released, bestselling novels: Low-Fat Love, B... more Candy Floss Collection is a set of three previously released, bestselling novels: Low-Fat Love, Blue, and Film. Together these novels create an overarching message about what it truly means to live a “big life” and the kinds of relationships we need with others and ourselves along the way. This is not a trilogy. This collection can be understood as installation art. Written with humor, cultural insight, and a wink, we follow each female protagonist and cast of offbeat characters as they search for love, friendship, and a sense of self. The characters must learn to mind the gap between their lives as they are and as they wish them to be, to chase their dreams even as they stumble on their insecurities, and to never settle for low-fat love. Along the way, characters are imaged in the glow of television and movie screens, their own stories shaped and illuminated by the stories in pop culture. Set in contemporary New York and Los Angeles, with special tributes to 1980s pop culture, each book questions and celebrates the ever-changing cultural landscape against which we live our stories, frame by frame.
Film follows three women who moved to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams. Tash Daniels aspires to... more Film follows three women who moved to Los Angeles to pursue their dreams. Tash Daniels aspires to be a filmmaker. Her short film was rejected from festivals, she has a stack of rejected grant proposals, and she lost her internship at a studio when her boss harassed her, forcing her to take a job as a personal shopper. Lu K is a hot deejay slowly working her way up the club scene, but no one is doing her any favors. Fiercely independent, she's at a loss when she meets Paisley, a woman who captures her heart. Monroe Preston is the glamorous wife of a Hollywood studio head. As a teenager she moved to LA in search of a "big" life, but now she wonders if reality measures up to fantasy. When a man in their circle finds sudden fame, each of these women is catapulted on a journey of self-discovery. As the characters' stories unfold, each is forced to confront how her past has shaped her fears and to choose how she wants to live in the present. Film is a novel about the underside of dreams, the struggle to find internal strength, the power of art, and what it truly means to live a "big" life. Frequently shown bathed in the glow of the silver screen, the characters in Film show us how the arts can reignite the light within. With a tribute to popular culture, set against the backdrop of Tinseltown, Film celebrates how the art we make and consume can shape our stories, scene by scene. Learn more or purchase on Amazon: https:
Professor Peyton Wilde has an enviable life teaching sociology at an idyllic liberal arts college... more Professor Peyton Wilde has an enviable life teaching sociology at an idyllic liberal arts college—yet she is troubled by a sense of fading inspiration. One day an invitation arrives. Peyton has been selected to attend a luxurious all-expense-paid seminar in Iceland, where participants, billed as some of the greatest thinkers in the world, will be charged with answering one perplexing question. Meeting her diverse teammates—two neuroscientists, a philosopher, a dance teacher, a collage artist, and a farmer—Peyton wonders what she could ever have to contribute. The ensuing journey of discovery will transform the characters' work, their biases, and themselves. This suspenseful novel shows that the answers you seek can be found in the most unlikely places. It can be read for pleasure, is a great choice for book clubs, and can be used as unique and inspiring reading in qualitative research and other courses in education, sociology, social work, psychology, and communication.
Bringing together interdisciplinary leaders in methodology and arts-based research (ABR), this co... more Bringing together interdisciplinary leaders in methodology and arts-based research (ABR), this comprehensive handbook explores the synergies between artistic and research practices and addresses issues in designing, implementing, evaluating, and publishing ABR studies. Coverage includes the full range of ABR genres, including those based in literature (such as narrative and poetic inquiry); performance (music, dance, playbuilding); visual arts (drawing and painting, collage, installation art, comics); and audiovisual and multimethod approaches. Each genre is described in detail and brought to life with robust research examples. Team approaches, ethics, and public scholarship are discussed, as are innovative ways that ABR is used within creative arts therapies, psychology, education, sociology, health sciences, business, and other disciplines.
This user-friendly book provides a step-by-step guide to using the five major approaches to resea... more This user-friendly book provides a step-by-step guide to using the five major approaches to research design: quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, arts-based, and communitybased participatory research. Chapters on each approach follow a unique format—they present a template for a research proposal and explain in detail how to conceptualize and fill in every section. Terminology commonly used within each approach is identified, and key moments of ethical decision making are flagged. Interdisciplinary research examples draw on current events and social justice topics. Unique coverage includes hot topics: replication studies and data sharing, tailoring proposals to different audiences, and more. The book also includes a general introduction to social research; an in-depth, practical discussion of ethics; and a chapter on how to begin a research study, from planning a topic to developing a research question via a literature review.
Blue follows three roommates as they navigate life and love in their post-college years. Tash Dan... more Blue follows three roommates as they navigate life and love in their post-college years. Tash Daniels, the former party girl, falls for deejay Aidan. Always attracted to the wrong guy, what happens when the right one comes along? Jason Woo, a lighthearted model on the rise, uses the club scene as his personal playground. While he’s adept at helping Tash with her personal life, how does he deal with his own when he meets a man that defies his expectations? Penelope, a reserved and earnest graduate student slips under the radar, but she has a secret no one suspects. As the characters’ stories unfold, each is forced to confront their life choices or complacency and choose which version of themselves they want to be. Blue is a novel about identity, friendship, figuring out who we are during the “in-between” phases of life, and the search for people who “get us.” The characters in Blue show how our interactions with people often bump up against backstage struggles we know nothing of. Visual art, television and film, appear as signposts throughout the narrative, providing a context for how we each come to build our sense of self in the world. With a tribute to 1980s pop culture, set against the backdrop of contemporary New York, Blue both celebrates and questions the ever-changing cultural landscape against which we live our stories, frame by frame.
Gender & Pop Culture provides a foundation for the study of gender, pop culture and media. This c... more Gender & Pop Culture provides a foundation for the study of gender, pop culture and media. This comprehensive, interdisciplinary text provides text-book style introductory and concluding chapters written by the editors, seven original contributor chapters on key topics and written in a variety of writing styles, discussion questions, additional resources and more. Coverage includes: •Foundations for studying gender & pop culture (history, theory, methods, key concepts) •Contributor chapters on media and children, advertising, music, television, film, sports, and technology •Ideas for activism and putting this book to use beyond the classroom •Pedagogical Features •Suggestions for further readings on topics covered and international studies of gender and pop culture Gender & Pop Culture was designed with students in mind, to promote reflection and lively discussion. With features found in both textbooks and anthologies, this sleek book can serve as primary or supplemental reading in undergraduate courses across the disciplines that deal with gender, pop culture or media studies.
SENSE PUBLISHER BEST-SELLER: Low-Fat Love unfolds over three seasons as Prilly Greene and Janice ... more SENSE PUBLISHER BEST-SELLER: Low-Fat Love unfolds over three seasons as Prilly Greene and Janice Goldwyn, adversarial editors at a New York press, experience personal change relating to the men, and absence of women, in their lives. Ultimately, each woman is pushed to confront her own image of herself, exploring her insecurities, the stagnation in her life, and her reasons for having settled for low-fat love. Along with Prilly and Janice, the cast of characters’ stories are interwoven throughout the book. Low-Fat Love is underscored with a commentary about female identity-building and self-acceptance and how, too often, women become trapped in limited visions of themselves. Women’s media is used as a signpost throughout the book in order to make visible the context in which women come to think of themselves as well as the men and women in their lives.
In this respect, Low-Fat Love offers a critical commentary about popular culture and the social construction of femininity. Grounded in a decade of interview research with young women and written in a fun, chick-lit voice, the novel can be read for pleasure or used as supplemental reading in a variety of courses in women’s/gender studies, sociology, psychology, popular culture, media studies, communication, qualitative research, and arts-based research.
This new, expanded anniversary edition has been thoroughly copy edited and revised for a cleaner version of the novel. It also includes new bonus content such as an afterword, a Q&A with the author answering reader questions, and ideas for classroom use.
PRAISE FOR LOW-FAT LOVE:
“Sometimes, when I read an especially wonderful book I say to myself, “I wish I had written that!” And that is how I feel about Low-Fat Love. To write a page-turner of a book that teaches about contemporary gender relationships is a major feat. Patricia Leavy has done that with Low-Fat Love. Truth be told, I love Low-Fat Love because it creates a fictional world that mirrors the gendered one we live in. I can identify with all the different characters and their issues. I would love to be in any college class or book group that was fortunate enough to be reading and discussing it. Brilliant!” -- Laurel Richardson, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
“Patricia Leavy writes with passion, verve and skill. I loved the first edition of LFL, but this expanded edition exceeded my expectations. I would run, not stroll, to get a copy for yourself and all of the important people in your life. I will use this in my relational communication and women’s studies classes because it is beautiful, relatable, and offers smart critique of how pop-culture’s expectations for intimate relationships often lets us down. Leavy offers readers a way to think through their close relationships and demand better of themselves and others.” -- Sandra L. Faulkner, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
“I couldn’t put it down! Low-Fat Love is a remarkable novel that every women’s studies class and interpersonal class would do well to read. The title is indicative of the search for meaningful, deep, enriching relationships beyond the artificial, low-fat love that is all too pervasive in society today. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.” -- Robin Patric Clair, Ph.D., Purdue University
“My students LOVE the book. One keeps saying, ‘I feel as if I am inside this story … so colorful, so contemporary!’” -- Jeasik Cho, Ph.D., University of Wyoming
“Low-Fat Love is absolutely brilliant. This new edition is a must-read for anyone who has lived, loved, dreamed, and at times, settled for less than what we deserve – in other words, this is a book for everyone. Get it now, set it on your course reading lists, and give it away for birthday and holiday gifts. It will change the way you think about identity, the media and popular culture, gender, communication, feminism, education, emotion, relationships, and the sociology of human being-ism.” -- Anne Harris, Ph.D., Monash University and Australian Research Fellow in Creativity and Arts in Education
“More than anything, Low-Fat Love proves the astonishing talent that Leavy possesses as both a writer and social commentator. This novel manages to synthesize years of research without ever feeling researched, and teaches so much without the reader feeling as if they were being educated. It’s a novel that appeals to multiple audiences, and I know that many of my students, both male and female, recommended this novel to their friends and siblings for the fun enlightenment they gained. In short, read it now. You definitely won’t be disappointed. It manages to be a short, ‘can’t put it down’ book to read on the beach or on a plane, while still inspiring the sort of reflection usually reserved for self-help novels and sociology tomes. A wonderful and inspiring read that I will be using for years to come. Every student should read this book.” -- U. Melissa Anyiwo, Ph.D., Curry College
“This book is a great read. Leavy writes characters that you care about. I read this book over a weekend, barely able to put it down. The story is well-developed, fun, and has great pacing. What makes this book particularly interesting is the way that Leavy, a sociologist with expertise in gender studies, weaves the findings of her social research into the story. She makes sociology accessible to a wide audience. A pioneer in arts-based research, Leavy transcends traditional academic writing to engage a variety of audiences. As a sociology professor myself, I am using this book in my Introductory Sociology course, not only to springboard discussions about gender identity and women’s roles, but also to demonstrate the power of sociology beyond the classroom.” -- Jessica Smartt Gullion, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University
“Based on my students’ responses and my own enjoyment of the novel, I highly recommend it!” -- Barbara Gurr, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
“The characters are deep and complex, the storyline intertwined, and I couldn’t put it down.” -- Linnea Rademaker, Ph.D., Northcentral University
“I use Low-Fat Love in my Sociology of Gender and Sociological Theory courses. My students and I enjoy reading the text. The students repeatedly tell me in their reviews that reading this book is one of their favorite parts of the class; they find the material relevant and helpful for understanding sociological concepts in an accessible way. If you are looking for a fun read and/or a supplement to your gender courses, I suggest Low-Fat Love!”
-- Cheryl Llewellyn, Stony Brook University
The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research presents a comprehensive overview of the field of qua... more The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research presents a comprehensive overview of the field of qualitative research. It is intended for students of all levels, faculty, and researchers across the social sciences. The contributors represent some of the most influential and innovative researchers in the field as well as emerging scholars. This handbook provides a broad introduction to the field of qualitative research to those with little to no background in the subject, while simultaneously providing substantive contributions to the field that will be of interest to even the most experienced researchers. It serves as a user-friendly teaching tool suitable for a range of undergraduate or graduate courses, as well as individuals working on their thesis or other research projects. With a focus on methodological instruction, this volume offers both a retrospective and prospective view of the field. The first two sections explore the history of the field, ethics, and philosophical/theoretical approaches. The next three sections focus on the major methods of qualitative practice as well as newer approaches (such as arts-based research and internet research); area studies often excluded (such as museum studies and disaster studies); and mixed methods and participatory methods (such as community-based research). The next section covers key issues including data analysis, interpretation, writing and assessment. The final section offers a commentary about politics and research and the move towards public scholarship.
A comprehensive, highly accessible introduction to arts-based research (ABR), this widely used te... more A comprehensive, highly accessible introduction to arts-based research (ABR), this widely used text provides a practical guide for researchers who want to uncover information that traditional methods cannot capture. Patricia Leavy addresses all eight major ABR genres--narrative inquiry, fiction-based research, poetry, music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art. Following a consistent format, chapters review how each genre developed, explore its methodological variations and the kind of research questions it can address, and describe sample studies. An exemplary research article or online video link demonstrates each set of techniques in practice.
New to This Edition: *Covers two additional ABR genres: fiction-based research and film. *Chapter on the criteria for evaluating ABR studies. *Most end-of-chapter exemplars are new; plus links to online exemplars added for ABR performance studies. *Chapters restructured to follow a consistent format. *Implications for creative arts therapies are addressed throughout. *Increased attention to public scholarship and audience issues. *Expanded discussions of ABR as a paradigm, playbuilding, and technology.
Pedagogical Features: *Checklists of issues to consider when deciding how to use a particular method. *Discussion questions and activities that can be worked on in class or assigned. *Annotated lists of suggested readings and websites, including links to online performance pieces. *Instructive research examples from multiple disciplines. *Flexibly organized so that chapters can be read independently or in sequence.
This book presents the first comprehensive introduction to arts-based research (ABR) practices, w... more This book presents the first comprehensive introduction to arts-based research (ABR) practices, which scholars in multiple disciplines are fruitfully using to reveal information and represent experiences that traditional methods cannot capture. Each of the six major ABR genres--narrative inquiry, poetry, music, performance, dance, and visual art--is covered in chapters that introduce key concepts and tools and present an exemplary research article by a leading ABR practitioner. Patricia Leavy discusses the kinds of research questions these innovative approaches can address and offers practical guidance for applying them in all phases of a research project, from design and data collection to analysis, interpretation, representation, and evaluation. Chapters include checklists to guide methodological decision making, discussion questions, and recommended print and online resources.
Paige Michaels comes from the kind of wealth that few experience. The daughter of a notoriously s... more Paige Michaels comes from the kind of wealth that few experience. The daughter of a notoriously successful banker who wielded great political power, she grew up in an extraordinary world peopled by the leaders of tomorrow. Now one mistake rooted in her past is threatening to unravel her perfect life. After years as a stay-at-home mother in New Jersey, Mollie Johnston convinces her husband to move back to New York, to fulfill her dream of living amid the bright lights. Mollie is uncomfortable in her own body and always worried about how others see her. Once she sees how the other half lives, will she come to see herself and her marriage more clearly? Gwen McAndrews is the ultimate New York socialite, and the envy of those impressed by her grandeur, but is there more than meets the eye? Along with Paige, Mollie and Gwen, a cast of characters' stories are interwoven into the text-parents, children, care-takers, childhood friends, old lovers and spouses. American Circumstance is a novel about appearance versus reality; how people's lives and relationships look to others versus how they are experienced, and the complex ways that social class shapes identity and relationships. American Circumstance provides a window into the replication of wealth, power and privilege. Through the protagonist's work with an international women's organization the novel is underscored with a narrative about how gender, social class and race intertwine on a global scale, and problems are all relative. There are also strong narratives about how family and friends influence identity and the things we say and don't say to each other. While fictional, American Circumstance is grounded in autoethnographic observations and more than a decade of teaching and research about gender, class, race, identity and relationships. The novel can be used as supplemental reading in courses that deal with gender, social class, power, family systems, relational communication, intimate relationships and/or identity, or it can be read entirely for pleasure. "American Circumstance kept me up! I couldn't put it down. I wanted to see how the characters' lives untangled. I loved how Leavy challenged my cultural assumptions. This book would be great to teach. Students will have a lot to talk about as they discover a 'sociology of everyday life' embedded in the fiction." -- Professor Laurel Richardson, The Ohio State University
The turn to fiction as a social research practice is a natural extension of what many researchers... more The turn to fiction as a social research practice is a natural extension of what many researchers and writers have long been doing. Patricia Leavy, a widely published qualitative researcher and a novelist, explores the overlaps and intersections between these two ways of understanding and describing human experience. She demonstrates the validity of literary experimentation to the qualitative researcher and how to incorporate these practices into research projects. Five short stories and excerpts from novellas and novels show these methods in action. This book is an essential methodological introduction for those interested in studying or practicing arts-based research.
Transdisciplinary research is issue-driven, addressing contemporary social questions from a range... more Transdisciplinary research is issue-driven, addressing contemporary social questions from a range of critical theoretical perspectives unhampered by the theoretical and methodological restrictions of traditional disciplinary boundaries. In this brief, informative guide, Patricia Leavy shows how a transdisciplinary approach can produce more effective results for researchers hoping to ameliorate social problems and foster social justice. She explains its relationship to multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and its value in community-based, arts-based research and mixed-methods projects. Providing the key principles and methods needed to conduct a transdisciplinary study, Leavy also offers numerous examples from multiple research sectors to show its effectiveness. Ideal as a brief introductory text for students engaged in this style of research.
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D. is a leading qualitative researcher, best-selling author, and the creator a... more Patricia Leavy, Ph.D. is a leading qualitative researcher, best-selling author, and the creator and editor for seven book series. On the release of her 20th book, American Circumstance: Anniversary Edition, the prolific author offers TQR readers this commentary on academic publishing. The piece includes advice about finding a publisher, book contracts, marketing, going from a dissertation to a book, tenacity and building a career.
This research note presents an overview of how and why social researchers influenced by critical ... more This research note presents an overview of how and why social researchers influenced by critical perspectives are using fiction as a means of producing and disseminating research. Over the past two decades fiction has increasingly been used by social researchers as a means of building critical consciousness, unsettling stereotypes, accessing hard-to-get-at dimensions of human experience and extending public scholarship. This research note reviews how fiction has grown as a research practice within the context of the growing interdisciplinary field of arts-based research practices. The piece ends with examples of academic novels and a play written from queer, feminist, and critical race theoretical perspectives.
ABSTRACT I was honored to be invited to contribute the introduction to this special edition on a/... more ABSTRACT I was honored to be invited to contribute the introduction to this special edition on a/r/tography, and profoundly humbled by the task. How does one begin? As you know by reading the stunning words by the great poet Carl Leggo, the possibilities are innumerable. A/r/tography invites us to actively, subjectively, and wholly engage with our work and the work of others from within, and so with this in mind and heart, I begin by locating myself. When I discovered a/r/tography a new world of possibilities opened before me. I found myself both somewhere new and quite at home. The polarization of my artist-researcher-teacher identities never worked for me; I could not carve out parts of myself and place them into different boxes. Like many educators I have always felt that we teach who we are. In these respects and others, I could not separate my “work” from my “life.” How thrilled I was to learn that I did not need to—that I could be in community with those creating work that is fulfilling, meaningful, ethical, and resonant—work at the intersections of “art” and “research.” A/r/tography invites and celebrates interconnectivity. This special edition on a/r/tography is a significant contribution not only to visual arts research, but also to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary arts-based research and pedagogy more broadly. For more than two decades, arts-based research practices have been on the rise—transgressing disciplinary borders, opening up new spaces for collaboration, and transforming how we conceive of and carry out our work (for example, see Bagley & Cancienne, 2002; Barone & Eisner, 2012; Knowles & Cole, 2008; Leavy, 2009). Over the past decade a/r/tography has developed as a set of arts-based research practices within education research but now extending across disciplinary borders (for example, see Irwin & de Cosson, 2004; Sinner, Leggo, Irwin, Gouzouasis, & Grauer, 2006; Springgay, Irwin, Leggo, & Gouzouasis, 2008). This slippage and spreading is fitting, as a/r/tography itself “is an act of interdiscplinarity” (drawing on Irwin: Pinar, 2004, p. 9). This special issue represents both the culmination of the a/r/tographical movement to date, and also one of many starting points for future inquiry. A/r/tography is a metaphor for our simultaneous, overlapping, and mutually informing artist-researcher-teacher identities. Those on the foreground of a/r/tography suggest that beyond recognizing the interrelations of our artist-researcher-teacher identities, this evolving methodology posits the intertwining of these roles creates a third space (Irwin, 2004; Pinar, 2004; Sinner et al., 2006). As a/r/tographers we occupy “in-between” space (Pinar, 2004, p. 9). A/r/tography pioneer Rita Irwin writes: There are spaces between and spaces between the in-between. There are multiple borders diffused again and again. And yet all the while, we do not dismiss the lands that create the blurred perimeter of the borderlands. With presence comes absence, with light comes darkness, and with sadness comes joy, knowing multiple variations exist between each. A/r/tography merges images and text, without privileging either, in order to open up and create new meanings and imaginings. Through metaphor, juxtaposition, presence and absence, reverberations and excess, the marriage of “texts” in different mediums and the fusing of different ways of knowing, multiple meanings are created, reflected, and refracted back. There is also a strong social justice current running through a/r/tographical works as a/r/tographers and readers are invited to co-create, to imagine what is possible, and to carve out new spaces for connection—spaces in between spaces. For those forced to the peripheries of their disciplines or societies, here they walk with others. Through this special collection the a/r/tographers welcome you into this community. As you have perhaps already come to see as you read Carl Leggo’s poetic meditation on a/r/tography and then began reading this “academic” introduction, Irwin and Sinner have modeled the best possibilities of a/r/tography in the way they have organized this special edition. This volume presents interludes and essays, words and images, intertwined—informing each other, creating new spaces in the crevices...
... pushing from the outside or cycling from within? ... If we seek to illuminate, reveal, give m... more ... pushing from the outside or cycling from within? ... If we seek to illuminate, reveal, give meaning, surely there are many languages through which we can communicate. ... graying it all I take it to bed where under the covers it holds me gives me warmth my poem protects me when I ...
... Lauren Sardi Ross is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut. ... 7 Sharlene Hesse... more ... Lauren Sardi Ross is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut. ... 7 Sharlene Hesse-Biber,Stephanie Howling, Patricia Leavy, and Meg Lovejoy, Racial Identity and the Development of Body ... the same cultural pressures to be thin as their daughters and thus pass on their ...
ABSTRACT The 1999 shootings at Columbine High School received saturation coverage by the American... more ABSTRACT The 1999 shootings at Columbine High School received saturation coverage by the American media. How did newspaper reporting of the 2005 Red Lake Indian Reservation School shootings, the largest school killing since Columbine, compare with the press's representations of Columbine? In this article we perform a qualitative content analysis of three newspapers (The New York Times as the national paper of record, and local papers in the communities in which the events occurred) over a two-week period following each event. We found that the reporting of Columbine and Red Lake differed in terms of quantity, content, and form. Columbine was immediately marked with social significance and became a national story while Red Lake received significantly less coverage, mostly local. Red Lake reporting was explicitly raced and classed while the prominent role of race and gender in the Columbine killings was largely ignored by local and national media.
In this podcast Patricia Leavy is interviewed by Mark Carrigan for the Sociological Review. They ... more In this podcast Patricia Leavy is interviewed by Mark Carrigan for the Sociological Review. They discuss writing sociology as fiction, the ground-breaking social fictions series and more.
ABSTRACT The following series of poems, titled “Fractured Femininities/Massacred Masculinities” c... more ABSTRACT The following series of poems, titled “Fractured Femininities/Massacred Masculinities” consists of six “tri-voiced poems” presented as an installation. The author uses the term tri-voiced poems to denote poems crafted from original data, existing literature, and autoethnographic researcher observations. With respect to original data, the poems are based, in part, on data collected during two interview studies. One study involves in-depth interviews with seven heterosexual college-age women regarding their body images and conceptions of femininity and masculinity. The other study consists of in-depth interviews with twenty-eight homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual college-age women regarding their body images and sexual-gender identities. A feminist social constructionist literature review and the author’s experiences and observations have also informed the poetic works. The poems are intended to be engaged with as an installation—connected pieces of a larger work in which themes and language are replicated across poems as windows through the elements in the series.
An overview of arts-based research. This is a full video of the conversation keynote with Dr. Pat... more An overview of arts-based research. This is a full video of the conversation keynote with Dr. Patricia Leavy at the SUNY-New Paltz arts-based research symposium on March 10, 2018.
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Op-Eds and Blogs by Patricia Leavy
One of our favorite writers, Patricia Leavy, is back with a novel that is one of the most important books you’ll ever read. Shooting Stars is one of those books that, once you start, you cannot put down (yes, 4am bedtime, but happy!). It’s a story of courage, chosen family, and how love–in all aspects–can help heal and grow. It has stayed with me, and I cannot stop thinking about the themes, characters, and how we all need more of this goodness in our lives. Read this...you'll be SO glad you did. And then, like me, you'll recommend it to everyone you know. Good things are like that–you share.
Tess Lee is a novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself. The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story that asks the questions: What happens when people truly see each other? Can unconditional love change the way we see ourselves? Their friends are along for the ride: Omar, Tess’s sarcastic best friend who mysteriously calls her Butterfly; Joe, Jack’s friend from the Bureau who understands the sacrifices he’s made; and Bobby, Jack’s younger friend who never fails to lighten the mood. Shooting Stars is a novel about walking through our past traumas, moving from darkness to light, and the ways in which love – from lovers, friends, or the art we experience – heals us. Written as unfolding action, Shooting Stars is a poignant novel that moves fluidly between melancholy, humor, and joy.
No small feat, you might imagine. At the end of the five-day program, however, participants including neuroscientists, artists, musicians, scholars, and journalists came together and made a vow to improve artistic and scientific collaboration.
During the program, entitled The Neuroscience of Art: What are the Sources of Creativity and Innovation?, participants came up with ideas involving imagination hubs, artist-in-residence programs, and the creation of an open-access interdisciplinary journal to bring artists and scientists closer together.
Among this crowd of 50 was author, sociologist, and arts-based researcher Patricia Leavy. At the time, Leavy had written 17 books – fiction and non-fiction - and was editing five book series. She was a recognized leader in arts-based and qualitative research. Her experience in Salzburg left her with the premise for a new novel: Spark.
Salzburg Global recently caught up with Leavy to discuss her new book, her experience attending a program at Salzburg Global Seminar, and how she drew inspiration.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Dr. Leavy, and ask her about Blue, inspiration, finding your tribe, memory, and more. Here’s what she had to say…
Includes Pedagogical Features
•Foundations for studying gender & pop culture (history, theory, methods, key concepts)
•Contributor chapters on media and children, advertising, music, television, film, sports, and technology
•Ideas for activism and putting this book to use beyond the classroom
•Pedagogical Features
•Suggestions for further readings on topics covered and international studies of gender and pop culture
Gender & Pop Culture was designed with students in mind, to promote reflection and lively discussion. With features found in both textbooks and anthologies, this sleek book can serve as primary or supplemental reading in undergraduate courses across the disciplines that deal with gender, pop culture or media studies.
In this respect, Low-Fat Love offers a critical commentary about popular culture and the social construction of femininity. Grounded in a decade of interview research with young women and written in a fun, chick-lit voice, the novel can be read for pleasure or used as supplemental reading in a variety of courses in women’s/gender studies, sociology, psychology, popular culture, media studies, communication, qualitative research, and arts-based research.
This new, expanded anniversary edition has been thoroughly copy edited and revised for a cleaner version of the novel. It also includes new bonus content such as an afterword, a Q&A with the author answering reader questions, and ideas for classroom use.
PRAISE FOR LOW-FAT LOVE:
“Sometimes, when I read an especially wonderful book I say to myself, “I wish I had written that!” And that is how I feel about Low-Fat Love. To write a page-turner of a book that teaches about contemporary gender relationships is a major feat. Patricia Leavy has done that with Low-Fat Love. Truth be told, I love Low-Fat Love because it creates a fictional world that mirrors the gendered one we live in. I can identify with all the different characters and their issues. I would love to be in any college class or book group that was fortunate enough to be reading and discussing it. Brilliant!” -- Laurel Richardson, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
“Patricia Leavy writes with passion, verve and skill. I loved the first edition of LFL, but this expanded edition exceeded my expectations. I would run, not stroll, to get a copy for yourself and all of the important people in your life. I will use this in my relational communication and women’s studies classes because it is beautiful, relatable, and offers smart critique of how pop-culture’s expectations for intimate relationships often lets us down. Leavy offers readers a way to think through their close relationships and demand better of themselves and others.” -- Sandra L. Faulkner, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
“I couldn’t put it down! Low-Fat Love is a remarkable novel that every women’s studies class and interpersonal class would do well to read. The title is indicative of the search for meaningful, deep, enriching relationships beyond the artificial, low-fat love that is all too pervasive in society today. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.” -- Robin Patric Clair, Ph.D., Purdue University
“My students LOVE the book. One keeps saying, ‘I feel as if I am inside this story … so colorful, so contemporary!’” -- Jeasik Cho, Ph.D., University of Wyoming
“Low-Fat Love is absolutely brilliant. This new edition is a must-read for anyone who has lived, loved, dreamed, and at times, settled for less than what we deserve – in other words, this is a book for everyone. Get it now, set it on your course reading lists, and give it away for birthday and holiday gifts. It will change the way you think about identity, the media and popular culture, gender, communication, feminism, education, emotion, relationships, and the sociology of human being-ism.” -- Anne Harris, Ph.D., Monash University and Australian Research Fellow in Creativity and Arts in Education
“More than anything, Low-Fat Love proves the astonishing talent that Leavy possesses as both a writer and social commentator. This novel manages to synthesize years of research without ever feeling researched, and teaches so much without the reader feeling as if they were being educated. It’s a novel that appeals to multiple audiences, and I know that many of my students, both male and female, recommended this novel to their friends and siblings for the fun enlightenment they gained. In short, read it now. You definitely won’t be disappointed. It manages to be a short, ‘can’t put it down’ book to read on the beach or on a plane, while still inspiring the sort of reflection usually reserved for self-help novels and sociology tomes. A wonderful and inspiring read that I will be using for years to come. Every student should read this book.” -- U. Melissa Anyiwo, Ph.D., Curry College
“This book is a great read. Leavy writes characters that you care about. I read this book over a weekend, barely able to put it down. The story is well-developed, fun, and has great pacing. What makes this book particularly interesting is the way that Leavy, a sociologist with expertise in gender studies, weaves the findings of her social research into the story. She makes sociology accessible to a wide audience. A pioneer in arts-based research, Leavy transcends traditional academic writing to engage a variety of audiences. As a sociology professor myself, I am using this book in my Introductory Sociology course, not only to springboard discussions about gender identity and women’s roles, but also to demonstrate the power of sociology beyond the classroom.” -- Jessica Smartt Gullion, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University
“Based on my students’ responses and my own enjoyment of the novel, I highly recommend it!” -- Barbara Gurr, Ph.D., University of Connecticut
“The characters are deep and complex, the storyline intertwined, and I couldn’t put it down.” -- Linnea Rademaker, Ph.D., Northcentral University
“I use Low-Fat Love in my Sociology of Gender and Sociological Theory courses. My students and I enjoy reading the text. The students repeatedly tell me in their reviews that reading this book is one of their favorite parts of the class; they find the material relevant and helpful for understanding sociological concepts in an accessible way. If you are looking for a fun read and/or a supplement to your gender courses, I suggest Low-Fat Love!”
-- Cheryl Llewellyn, Stony Brook University
New to This Edition:
*Covers two additional ABR genres: fiction-based research and film.
*Chapter on the criteria for evaluating ABR studies.
*Most end-of-chapter exemplars are new; plus links to online exemplars added for ABR performance studies.
*Chapters restructured to follow a consistent format.
*Implications for creative arts therapies are addressed throughout.
*Increased attention to public scholarship and audience issues.
*Expanded discussions of ABR as a paradigm, playbuilding, and technology.
Pedagogical Features:
*Checklists of issues to consider when deciding how to use a particular method.
*Discussion questions and activities that can be worked on in class or assigned.
*Annotated lists of suggested readings and websites, including links to online performance pieces.
*Instructive research examples from multiple disciplines.
*Flexibly organized so that chapters can be read independently or in sequence.
"American Circumstance kept me up! I couldn't put it down. I wanted to see how the characters' lives untangled. I loved how Leavy challenged my cultural assumptions. This book would be great to teach. Students will have a lot to talk about as they discover a 'sociology of everyday life' embedded in the fiction." -- Professor Laurel Richardson, The Ohio State University