Woman’s PhD thesis on the politics of smell sparks fierce online backlash and misogynistic attacks

Dr. Ally Louks’ PhD thesis on "olfactory ethics" led to trolling, abuse, and misogynistic attacks on social media.

Dr. Louks had proudly announced her achievement, sharing a picture of herself holding the hardcover copy of her thesis with the caption, "Thrilled to say I passed my viva with no corrections and am officially PhDone." However, instead of receiving congratulations, her post was met with a torrent of backlash from right-wing trolls who mocked and disparaged her achievement.

Critics questioned her choice of subject matter, with some attacking her academic pursuits and even making personal remarks, with one user suggesting she would have been better off "getting married and having children." Others directed hateful comments towards her, with one person calling her brain "diseased and rotted by leftism." The vitriol escalated further, with some sending vile threats of sexual assault, which Dr. Louks felt compelled to report to the police.

In response to the abuse, Dr. Louks stated, "This is abhorrent and illegal and no one should ever have to deal with this." Despite the negative comments, she also received strong support from social media users, many of whom criticized the misogyny she faced. "The vitriol on this post is so bleak. Women cannot post about their achievements without getting harassed by misogynists," one person wrote in support.

Determined not to let the backlash define her, Dr. Louks expressed plans to leave X for BlueSky, a social platform known for being more progressive. She humorously added, "I just know I’m gonna be the talk of the English faculty this week."

The incident sheds light not only on the challenges women face in academia but also on the broader societal discourse surrounding higher education. Dr. Louks' story mirrors a growing discontent among some individuals who have invested heavily in education yet struggle to find meaningful employment in their fields.

A case in point is A. Rasberry, who, despite earning multiple degrees—including a PhD—has found herself struggling in the job market. Rasberry, burdened with $250,000 in student-loan debt, has not worked in her field since graduating and has had to turn to nursing to make ends meet. "I thought education was the road to financial freedom, but I was wrong," she said, illustrating the disconnect between education and its promised benefits.

While Dr. Louks' experience highlights the challenges of being a female academic in the public eye, it also raises important questions about the broader value of education and the societal expectations placed on those who pursue higher learning.