The University of Notre Dame has announced a research collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile to lead an initiative addressing the rising threat of online abuse in sports. As the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organizations globally, the FIA champions safety and fairness — both on the track and online — through its United Against Online Abuse campaign.
Notre Dame is among three academic institutions to sign the UAOA Charter, joining a global coalition committed to safeguarding athletes and fostering a culture of respect in digital spaces.
Driven by Notre Dame’s Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, this agreement marks the FIA’s first academic collaboration in the United States. The initiative will produce research, digital literacy tools and policy recommendations to strengthen global efforts in protecting athletes from online abuse.
“This collaboration is a natural extension of Notre Dame’s mission as a force for good through research and education,” said Nitesh Chawla, the Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering, founding director of the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society, and Lucy Family Director for Data and AI Academic Strategy at Notre Dame. “We are excited to work with the FIA and to support the UAOA to create actionable solutions at the intersection of sports, AI and public policy.”
Chawla, the project’s principal investigator, will work with researchers at the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society to investigate both the underlying causes and the visible impacts of online harassment targeting athletes. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research, the study aims to model the prevalence, nature and long-term consequences of this growing issue.
“This collaboration represents an important step forward in our mission to combat online abuse across all levels of sport. I look forward to working with the University of Notre Dame, one of the world’s leading research institutions, to explore innovative, AI-powered solutions and to develop evidence-based strategies to ensure a safer and more inclusive sporting environment for all. Our joint goal is to foster a safer inclusive online environment for athletes, teams and fans worldwide,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and UAOA Founder.
Findings will directly contribute to the UAOA Online Abuse Barometer, expanding the evidence base for policymakers, athletic organizations and digital platforms. In addition, the collaboration will develop youth-focused digital literacy tools, including an AI-powered learning platform, designed to promote safer, more respectful online communities. Together, these efforts will advance understanding of online abuse while equipping the next generation with resources to reduce its harm.
Notre Dame’s insights will inform preventive strategies and athlete support programs. Additionally, in collaboration with FIA, the findings may contribute to new policy recommendations and practical guidelines for key stakeholders, including international sports federations, government regulators focused on online safety, tech platforms managing content moderation and schools and youth organizations promoting digital citizenship.
Emphasizing the broad significance of the project, Chawla added, “This collaboration shows how data and AI can advance common good. By turning research into real-world solutions for a growing challenge in sports, we put athlete well-being first—purposeful AI in action.”
The collaboration is supported by the FIA and the FIA Foundation to support the educational components.
Contact: Brandi Wampler, associate director of media relations, 574-631-2632, brandiwampler@nd.edu