Graduate’s Research on Ants Sparks Viral Debate on Social Media

A recent exchange on social media has ignited a heated discussion surrounding academic achievements and societal perceptions of certain fields of study. On November 14, 2025, Juliet Turner, an ecologist and evolutionary biologist, celebrated the successful defense of her DPhil thesis at the University of Oxford. Her post, which included the declaration, “You can call me Doctor,” received a mix of congratulations and criticism, particularly from individuals questioning the relevance of her research.

Turner’s thesis focuses on the “evolution of cooperation and division of labour in insects,” a subject deemed trivial by some, particularly one vocal critic who suggested that men do not find women with degrees attractive. This sentiment was echoed by another user who claimed that people are not genuinely upset over Turner’s accomplishment but rather the nature of her research topic, which they described as “useless.”

The backlash included comments that framed Turner’s work as less impactful compared to research in fields like medicine or engineering. One comment made waves online, stating, “Most people can accept someone celebrating medical research, engineering breakthroughs, or something that clearly improves the world.” The user implied that celebrating a PhD focused on ants felt out of touch with the challenges faced by ordinary people, including financial struggles and public service issues.

Despite the criticism, Turner responded to her detractors with a robust defense of her work. In a follow-up tweet, she stated, “The irony behind all the criticism of my research is that you would struggle to find a topic more fundamental or widely applicable than my DPhil thesis.” She highlighted the broader implications of her research, which informs areas such as pure science, cancer biology, technology, and economics.

Turner elaborated on how her findings contribute to understanding complex life systems, noting that “all complex life depends on cooperation and division of labour.” She explained that insights from her thesis could help address issues in cancer biology by understanding how cellular cooperation breaks down, which parallels challenges in multicellular organisms, including humans.

The discussion surrounding Turner’s work has taken on a life of its own, with many users coming to her defense. Comments flooded in, praising her research and drawing parallels to historical figures like Charles Darwin, who also faced skepticism during his studies. One user remarked, “When Darwin was collecting beetles, I’m sure everyone thought he was wasting his time,” emphasizing that curiosity-driven research can lead to significant breakthroughs.

Turner’s situation has not only highlighted the ongoing debate about the value of different academic fields but also underscored the importance of public engagement in science. Many users expressed gratitude for the dialogue sparked by the criticism, stating that it has led to greater awareness and interest in her research area.

As the conversation continues, Turner remains committed to her work and expressed eagerness to share her findings once her thesis is published. She invited those interested in the evolution of complex life to engage further with her research, signaling a positive outlook despite the initial backlash.

This incident serves as a reminder of the diverse perspectives surrounding academic research and the significance of encouraging discussions across various fields of study.