Cambridge teacher earns PhD linking body odor to racism in literature

Dr. Ally Louks, a Cambridge University teacher, recently completed her PhD with a thesis linking body odor to racism and social hierarchies in literature. She announced her achievement on November 28, 2024, stating she passed without corrections. Her dissertation, titled “Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose,” examines how literature influences perceptions of smell and its role in social structures. The abstract highlights the study of olfactory oppression across various social categories. Despite her academic focus, Louks faced criticism for her complex language. Some commentators dismissed her work as unimportant, while she aimed to reveal how smell can unconsciously shape identity and social status.