The United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Scholarship Programme was created to empower the next generation of researchers in the fight against online abuse in sport.
Launched in 2023, the programme offers talented students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on the impact, prevalence, and prevention of online abuse in sport, with a focus on developing practical solutions. Funded by the FIA Foundation, the 6 UAOA scholars have been selected to undertake invaluable research at Dublin City University (DCU) based on their project proposals, dedication to achieving positive social change, and their unique perspectives approaching this issue.
Dublin City University, a leading academic institution in the study of online abuse, supports UAOA scholars to undertake their academic research on topics including:
- Prevalence, form and victims of online abuse in the sporting world.
- The effects of online abuse on athletes, officials, and fans
- Preventative measures and intervention strategies for online harassment
- Analysis of existing regulations and recommendations for new policies
- The role of social media and tech platforms in moderating content
- Intelligence models used to detect and remove online abuse
Scholar Benefits
Each UAOA Scholar receives a fully funded scholarship, funded by the FIA Foundation. Scholars benefit from mentorship by leading experts in the field, hands-on experience with data collection and analysis, and the chance to attend UAOA events, where they can share their findings with a global audience of policymakers, sports federations, and digital platforms.
Current Scholars
The inaugural cohort of 4 UAOA Scholars represents a diverse group from different parts of the world, including participants from Italy, South Africa, the UK, and Mexico. Their work is already contributing valuable insights to the UAOA campaign, and they are playing a crucial role in shaping future regulations and standards within sport. The final 2 scholarships are currently open for applications.
Further information can be found on the FIA University Website.
