Some folks look for attention on social media, whether good or bad, but others get caught up in a wave of harsh and unwanted comments. That’s what happened to a Cambridge University academic – so how has all this sudden attention affected her?
Back in November 2024, Dr Ally Louks shared a photo of herself with her finished Ph D thesis on X, external, which quickly went viral after getting over 120 million views – and it’s still climbing.
Alongside the kind messages and curiosity about her topic – “the politics of smell” – she also faced some ugly reactions: sexist remarks, accusations, and even threats aimed right at her.
Looking back three months later, she says: “This has undoubtedly changed my life.. and while I would not wish this on anyone, it has given me a platform to speak positively about academia and research.”
