A University of Exeter senior lecturer has slammed airline Qantas for referring to her as 'Miss' instead of 'Doctor' - saying it was an example of 'every day sexism'.

Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer's Tweet about the incident has been liked more than 8,500 times - and sparked a huge debate on the social network about whether Qantas staff were in the wrong.

After flying with the airline to her native Australia, Dr O'Dwyer wrote: "Hey Qantas, my name is Dr O'Dwyer. My ticket says Dr O'Dwyer. Do not look at my ticket, look at me, look back at my ticket, decide it's a typo, and call me Miss O'Dwyer.

(Image: Twitter)

"I did not spend eight years at university to be called Miss."

After an online row developed between other Twitter users over Dr O'Dwyer's motives for the tweet, the academic sent another tweet to clarify.

She wrote: "Copping so much flak for this tweet. This was not about my ego. It was about highlighting one of a thousand instances of sexism that women encounter every day.

"It's not about the title, it's about the fact that this wouldn't have happened if I was a man."

And in a third tweet she wrote: "Sincere apologies if you've contacted me for a legitimate reason and not had a response.

"In an effort to filter out the vitriol, Twitter has inadvertently filtered out some of the kindness and genuine enquiries. Bear with."

Dr O’Dwyer, is an award-winning member of the University of Exeter Medical School.

Her Twitter bio states that she is an expert in family care, ageing, suicide and homicide.

And her opinions appear to have received support and criticism in equal measure.

(Image: Getty)

Fellow academic Dr Mel Thomson, also from Australia, told her: "You have all of the solidarity on this issue."

She also said: "I’m first gen to finish high school (let alone get several degrees) in my family. I’ll be damned is some trolley dolly gets to decide what honorific I get called, FFS (sic)."

But an airline steward – with the Twitter name Belleo – picked up on the tweet by Dr Thompson and replied: "Please don’t refer to us as trolley dollies.

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"We may not have completed a PhD however we are required by law 2 maintain quals that enable us to evacuate an aircraft in 90 secs, keep u alive in-flight, prevent hijacking, put out fires etc.

"I have always used the correct honorific.

(Image: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

"And I have always been especially careful to ensure I used it when I saw it on a woman’s boarding pass as I was proud to be able to support the woman and her achievements in a male-centric world.

"You’ve just gone and sh*t on that with your condescending comment about us."

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Some accused Dr O'Dwyer of overreacting or even 'asking for trouble'.

Tim Almond replied: "I have two friends who are non-medical doctors. I didn't find out for years.

"Outside of professional conferences they don't use it.

"You're asking for trouble on an aircraft. A passenger gets stuck and they'll ask you for help."

Another snapped: "I don’t believe anyone is obliged to call you doctor. Did you do your degree to learn or get a title?"

Jennifer Stone replied: "I’d understand if you were complaining about being called Miss instead of Ms but an expectation to use professional titles in everyday life smacks of elitism.

"Ditto use of religious or medical titles out of their domains. Communicates superiority & privilege - why else use them?"

Replying to one Twitter user on her side, Dr O'Dwyer wrote: "Ten years ago when I got my PhD, I went into the bank & said I wanted to change my title. The woman said “Congratulations! What’s your married name?” - Sigh."

Qantas said they stood by the professionalism of their cabin crew.

A spokesperson said: "We are extremely proud of our cabin crew who respectfully serve our customers day in and day out and play a vital safety role."

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