Cambridge Scholar who received backlash over 'Politics of Smell' PhD, graduates: What her research was about

Unlike a bachelor's or even a master's, a PhD is a completely different game. It takes effort, time and a unique perspective on the world that is worth exploring. One has to truly sit and observe to pick a topic that is appropriate to be explored through a thesis and suitable enough to get passed. For Dr Ally Louks, the topic was “Olfactory Ethics: The politics of smell in modern and contemporary prose”.
The young literature professor announced her graduation on X on Saturday, writing, “I graduated today! I can honestly say that doing a PhD was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I suppose I’m really PhDone now.”

But why did Louks receive backlash for her PhD and what was it about? Find out below!

What was Dr Ally Louks' research about?

Image credits: X/@DrAllyLouks

Louks, whose real name is Amelia May Louks, analysed how literature registers the importance of olfactory discourse. The language of smell, the olfactory imagination it creates and how it plays a role in structuring our social world.
She explained how the descriptions of smell in literature are used to reinforce racism, sexism and other social stigmas. For example, "the attribution of a foul smell to the Black body during the transatlantic slave trade as a tool of dehumanization."
She focused largely on prose fiction from the modern and contemporary period to trace the legacy of olfactory prejudice till date.

Louks shared that she hopes that "people are more aware of smell when they're reading. I think that would be a fantastic upshot of all of this." According to Louks the topic is pretty niche and the whole point of a PhD is to "contribute to knowledge in a unique fashion" While her thesis is "not going to cure cancer" she thinks it has "wide-ranging applications."

Why did Dr Ally Louks' PhD receive backlash?

On November 29, 2024 Louks took to X to share the name of her thesis and the good news that she had passed her viva without any corrections. "Thrilled to say I passed my viva with no corrections and am officially PhDone" wrote the Dr in her post, which now has over 126.9 million views and 11K comments. While many were intrigued by Louks' subject of PhD, others found it a waste of time and money.

While she received appreciative comments such as "Congratulations. A PhD is a big accomplishment. Ignore the negativity. Opinions are like backsides - we all have one!" she also received negative remarks such as "You would have spent your years better by getting married and having children" and a rape threat.

Things went on to escalate to a level where after a week of trolling, Louks' alma mater, Cambridge University, where she was also an English literature professor came out in her support with a post on Instagram writing: "“Dr Louks, we support you. Last week, Cambridge PhD student @allylouks published this photo on X to celebrate passing her viva with no corrections. Her tweet went viral, attracting over 100 million views. But the attention that Ally's achievement received turned to harassment and misogyny when trolls attacked Ally's PhD topic, her education, her achievement, and her gender... Congratulations, Dr Louks, on passing your viva with no corrections!”

Dr Ally Louks is a graduate!

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Dr Louks took to X to share that she had graduated. "I graduated today! I can honestly say that doing a PhD was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I suppose I’m really PhDone now" wrote Louks. Her post, which has amassed 4.3M views, featured people congratulating her on her achievement and PhD writing, "officially PhDone and absolutely scent-sational. huge congrats!!" and "The smell of success is in the air! I’m so happy 4 u, Dr. Ally Louks! Congratulations on completing this journey & thank u4 sharing w us the importance of olfactory ethics & expanding our views on the politics of smells."

Dr Louks' PhD topic is not only a unique one but also an eye-opening piece on how minds and senses have been shaped by literature into a state of prejudice that is undetectable to a layman even if put forth in writing. Her work, which she mentions is aimed at an audience, is what can help people better understand real-world scenarios and avoid unconsciously using them as prejudices against people they meet.