Overview
- Dr. Ally Louks, a Cambridge University PhD graduate, posted a celebratory photo online after completing her thesis, which went viral with over 100 million views.
- Her thesis, titled 'Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose,' examines the role of smell in shaping social structures through literature.
- Louks became the target of misogynistic trolling, including rape and death threats, leading to a police investigation into a reported hate incident.
- Cambridge University publicly supported Louks, condemning the harassment and highlighting the thousands of supportive messages from students, staff, and alumni.
- Louks expressed resilience in the face of online abuse, emphasizing the importance of constructive criticism and using her platform to promote compassion and intellectual curiosity.