Cambridge Lecturer Defends PhD On ‘Politics of Smell’, But Internet Isn’t Impressed

Last Updated:December 02, 2024, 14:32 IST

Her post received lots of attention, not just because of her achievement in her studies but because of the unconventional approach to her research.

A University of Cambridge lecturer recently defended her PhD thesis titled “Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose”. The topic, which looks into the role of smell in literature and its consequences for the socio/corporal body, has been received with both interest and scepticism on social media.

Dr Ally Louks posted her success on X (formerly Twitter) saying she passed her viva without any amendments. Her post received lots of attention, not just because of her achievement in her studies but the unconventional subject of her research as well. The thesis research focuses on how the olfactory motifs in literature help to shape and influence gender, race/colour, class, and, in fact, species power practices.

In her dissertation, Dr Louks focused on the idea of olfactory discrimination, or the use of smell to establish class boundaries and regulate interpersonal communication. The first chapter is devoted to discussing how and to what extent smell is used to convey the themes of class difference, assessed in the light of George Orwell’s texts and other cultural artefacts. Even the abstract of her thesis emphasizes intersectional analysis, claiming that she seeks to reveal the unnoticed role of olfactory experiences in configuring relations and perceptions between people.

Dr Louks said that her study is to identify and demonstrate how literature provides olfactory discourse. She states, “The broad aim of this thesis is to offer an intersectional and wide-ranging study of olfactory oppression,” suggesting a view toward the complexity of the ways in which smell does or does not relate to identity and status.

The reaction of internet users has been divided. Some of the reactions included disbelief at the topic’s legitimacy, others expressed their concerns about the utility of the given kind of study arguing that it is more of a gimmick rather than academic.

A user creatively commented: “Congratulations, but olfactory ethics? It sounds… scentillating… When in Aroma, do as the Aromans?”

Another user said: “This does not stink!”

One sceptical user commented: “The politics of smell? That’s the best you could do?”

Another user said: “You wrote your thesis about the use of smell in literature?”

Another user went on to say: “It’s sad to see these great institutions lose so much credibility. Congratulations on fulfilling your journey, but it’s sad to see this sort of thesis make it through, knowing how many ideas are censored, preventing real interesting literary discourse.”

The post has more than 24 million views on the social media platform.