Alan Sokal is an American physicist and professor known for his work in theoretical physics and his critique of postmodernism. He gained widespread attention in 1996 when he published a deliberately nonsensical article in the journal Social Text to test the journal's academic rigor. The article, titled "Transgressing the Boundaries: Toward a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity," was accepted and sparked a significant debate about the relationship between science and the humanities. Sokal's actions led to discussions about the validity of academic publishing and the standards of intellectual discourse. His experiment highlighted concerns regarding the use of jargon and the potential for misinterpretation in academic writing. Sokal has since written extensively on the philosophy of science and the importance of clear communication in academia.