I have been asked this question by a good few people who leave safe harbours in pursuit of Purpose...
FIA Media, Paris | #UnitedAgainstOnlineAbuse
The FIA-led United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign has announced the first recipients of its prestigious Global Research Scholarship.
The FIA-led United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign has announced the first recipients of its prestigious Global Research Scholarship.
Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. In South Africa, Mandela demonstrated how “sport has the power to change the world... to inspire...to unite people in a way that little else does.” I am honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global combat against online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference.”
The four scholars will carry out Master’s by Research at Dublin City University with full funding from the FIA Foundation. Their work will help to improve understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, providing a strong basis for the UAOA coalition’s ongoing efforts to drive behavioural and regulatory change.
The new scholars are established researchers within their respective fields and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the UAOA Research Centre.
Ana Rodríguez Armendariz (Mexico) is a Deputy CMO at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix. She has completed clinical placements at Hospital Zambrano Hellion, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, and TecSalud Zambrano Hellion Hospital.
She said: “This opportunity has deepened my appreciation for our sport's pioneers and their legacy of integrity and excellence. This scholarship allows me to further evolve our sport, particularly in combating online hate speech and fostering an inclusive, enlightened community. Our collective efforts are shaping a transformative legacy beyond the field.”
Kimberley Wyllie (Scotland) joins the programme following Psychology Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at the University of Stirling and Heriot-Watt University. She currently works as a Managing Editor of the Women in a Man’s Race Magazine and actively participates in the UK Girls on Track programme.
She said: “This opportunity from the FIA and DCU is something I genuinely didn't think I'd be able to participate in. It was one of the things I read about, thought I'd pop in an application anyways, but ultimately thought that there would be someone better out there. It's helped my confidence hugely and shown me that it's amazing what a little bit of self-belief can do. I can't wait to get started and join the United Against Online Abuse family. The only limit is yourself.”
Roshni Gajjar (South Africa) is the Founder and Managing Director of StratAstute, a consulting firm based in South Africa, and Future Ones, a company providing STEM educational programmes for motorsport and allied industries. She has also served in various strategy and stakeholder-focussed roles in the financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, sports, and higher education sectors.
Roshni said: “Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. In South Africa, Mandela demonstrated how “sport has the power to change the world... to inspire...to unite people in a way that little else does.” I am honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global combat against online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference.”
Maria Iuliano (Italy) works as a press officer at Italian motor sport governing body, ACI Sport SpA.
She said: “Enrolling in the Master’s by Research programme at DCU Business School will enable me to thoroughly investigate online abuse, and I hope to make a significant impact with my work. This is crucial because, through research, we can contribute positively to sports, making it fairer and more inclusive for everyone while continuing to tackle discrimination.”
FIA President, and Founding Patron of UAOA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “I am delighted to welcome our diverse scholarship group. United Against Online Abuse is a knowledge-led campaign, which puts research and insights at the heart of all its activities. Our scholars’ research will be key in helping us build a strong knowledge base in this historically under-researched area.”
The UAOA Research Centre is partnered with the FIA University programme which promotes knowledge and research sharing across the international FIA network. The Research Centre is committed to driving inclusive global scholarships, which upskill researchers from around the world, particularly those outside the EU.
Principal Investigator for UAOA, Professor David Hassan, said: “I would like to congratulate Kimberley, Ana, Roshni, and Maria for this exceptional achievement. We are looking forward to working with them, and learning from their unique perspectives, knowledge, and experience on the topic.”
Professor Theo Lynn, Associate Dean of Research at DCU Business School, said: “These new scholarships will explore the nature of online abuse in sports and the efficacy of different measures to combat such abuse. By working with the FIA as part of their Global Coalition Against Online Abuse in Sports and fostering a new generation of International researchers working in sports, we aim to contribute to fostering an environment where respect and camaraderie prevail over vitriol and division."
The scholars will begin their studies this month.
For any further media queries, please contact: aridsdillsmith@fia.com
For UAOA queries, please contact: ebourke-consultant@fia.com
by Motorsport South Africa | Feb 27, 2024 | 
In another proud moment for South African motorsport, Roshni Gajjar from Gqeberha, has been announced as one of the first four recipients of the prestigious Global Research Scholarship, awarded by the FIA in support of its United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) campaign.
The four scholars selected will carry out Masters by Research Programmes at Dublin College University with full funding from the FIA Foundation. Their work will help to improve understanding of online abuse against athletes and officials, providing a strong basis for the UAOA coalition’s ongoing efforts to drive behavioural and regulatory change.
Gajjar will join Ana Rodriguez Armendariz (Mexico), a Deputy CMO at the F1 Mexico City Grand Prix; Kimberley Wyllie (Scotland), managing editor of the Women in a Man’s Race Magazine and active participant in the UK Girls on Track programme and Maria Luliano (Italy) who works as a press officer at Italian motor sport governing body, ACI Sport SpA.
All four are established researchers within their respective fields and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the UAOA Research Centre.
FIA President and Founding Partner of UAOA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, came out strongly last year against the unacceptable levels of online abuse which are creating a blight on the sport. He believes the level of sustained toxicity has reached crisis point and it is time to take a stand. “I am delighted to welcome our diverse scholarship group. United Against Online Abuse is a knowledge-led campaign, which puts research and insights at the heart of all its activities. Our scholars’ research will be key in helping us build a strong knowledge base in this historically under-researched area,” he says.
The UAOA Research Centre is partnered with the FIA University programme which promotes knowledge and research sharing across the international FIA network. The Research Centre is committed to driving inclusive global scholarships, which upskills researchers from around the world, particularly those outside the EU.
Principal Investigator for UAOA, Professor David Hassan, says, “I would like to congratulate Kimberly, Ana, Roshni, and Maria for this exceptional achievement. We are looking forward to working with them, and learning from their unique perspectives, knowledge, and experience on the topic.”
Motorsport South Africa (MSA) is one of 243 Member Clubs. MSA Chairman and FIA Senate member, Anton Roux praised Gajjar on the work she has already done in the industry and the potential contribution her research offers to mitigate online abuse. He said she had the full support of MSA. “Marshals and officials of the sport need to be applauded rather than subjected to any kind of hate speech on social channels so this initiative is to be applauded. The research will enable us to build a greater understanding of the psychological effects of online abuse and inform our strategic approach to tackling the problem in future and protecting participants from this kind of abuse.”
The research will be conducted over two years, commencing this month, through the Dublin City University Business School. The scholarship recipients aim to achieve a Masters by Research (MPhil) on successful completion.
Gajjar, a chartered accountant and strategy consultant, is a strong proponent of positive, purpose-driven success and integrates her philosophy of “Lift as we Rise” into her consulting and performance coaching work which supports STEM career development in motorsport. This closely aligns with MSA’s related objectives.
Commenting on the scholarships, she says she is honoured and humbled to receive the FIA scholarship award and feels extremely privileged to be part of this game-changing research initiative.
“Online abuse deters people from participating, as it infringes on their human rights and compromises the psychological safety of victims, especially women and young people who are avid social media users. Athletes, officials and volunteers will leave if nothing is done. Sport fuels passion and exercises potential. This opportunity presents a unique privilege to give back; to play my part in the global move to combat online abuse. I hope to make a positive difference,” she says.
Adrian Scholtz, MSA Chief Executive Officer, says Gajjar’s selection will add a South African perspective to the FIA’s UAOA global initiative. “We are also highly supportive that the FIA has selected four women. It is commendable that the FIA has initiated this research to develop evidence-based information to steer online abuse combat strategies. Online abuse goes against the spirit of fair play and has no place in sport.”
Some fast facts:
• It is not just athletes that receive abuse. Fans, coaches, commentators, journalists, referees, sporting administrators, among other stakeholders, also regularly receive online abuse as a result of their involvement in the
sporting context
• Ethnic minorities are far more likely to be targeted by, and exposed to, online abuse
• Appearance is the leading cause of online abuse for teenagers and females, being responsible for 38% of such incidents
• About 28% of children around the world have experienced cyberbullying that is racially motivated
• In the 2019/2020 Premier League season, the Professional Footballers Association found that 43% of EPL players had ‘experienced targeted and explicitly racist abuse on public Twitter’
• During the 2022 World Championships, female athletes received 60% of all
online abuse via Twitter and Instagram
• 19,636 posts confirmed as abusive, discriminatory or threatening have been
reported to platforms during FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022
• The ‘United Against Online Abuse’ campaign (UAOA), pioneered by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, is a research-led coalition aiming to tackle the growing epidemic of online abuse and hate speech in sport.
Prepared on behalf of MSA by Cathy Findlay PR
Roshni Gajjar speaks to former F1 in Schools World Finals participant and category winner, Aashish Salian about what F1 in Schools meant to him as a pupil, a STEM professional and a rising performance engineer.
Watch on YouTube or listen in on Apple Podcast.
Ready to Play Your Part as a school, team. sponsor or volunteer? Let's Talk.
I am pleased to be representing StratAstute Consulting as a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
The StratEx 4.0 coaching service stream has evolved organically, through supporting leaders, entrepreneurs and athletes navigate the Covid-related disruptions and uncertainties. I found that coaching is like a game of golf or the sport of marginal gains - the more you and your client show up for practice together, the more you want to learn how to practice better. That's strategy, and fair play, in motion.
My purpose, through StratAstute, is to help organisations, leaders and rising stars to become the best versions of themselves so that they can reach their highest potential, achieve targeted success and make a positive contribution through foresight, purpose-driven actions and a “can-do” mindset.
“It is possible of ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.”
- Elon Musk
I am excited to work with existing and new clients, to cultivate resilient performance and to enable them to reach their vision of success. Let's Talk.
Roshni Gajjar is a certified Performance Coach and a member of the ICF. She is an experienced Chartered, Strategy Consultant and Board-level leader. She has offers +20 years’ executive-level experience to her clients, served in the advisory/assurance, automotive, consulting, healthcare, higher education, insurance sectors and pharmaceutical sectors.
The future of SA motorsport is bright with high potential! We got to meet some very interesting and inspired STEM minds at the 2023 Simola Hillclimb in Knysna.
What did we chat about? F1 in Schools of course!
Thanks to captains of SA motorsport, industry leaders, teams, passionate school pupils, parents, professionals, seasoned technical experts, members of media and diehard fans from racing around world.
Thank You for sharing the pupil-to-pinnacle vision with such positivity and enthusiasm! F1 in Schools ZA is now in full motion!
If you missed out on the launch, read about Future Ones NPC and the "pupil-to-pinnacle" quest on our website: https://stratute.co.za/future-ones/
Play Your Part. It takes at least four years to reach World Finals readiness. We ask schools and sponsors to commit to the vision so that we can see a South African team at the 2027 F1 in Schools World Finals.
Get On Track for Success! Registrations now open. Early adopter schools will get a head start and save on costs.
Let's GO🔴🔴🔴🔴🟢
🟢Schedule a call - Let's chat to your school principal to explore fit-for-school
🟢Build a proposal - Let's help your school get on track with funding and equipment
🟢Form a team - 6 participants aged 6 to 9 years
🟢Participate - Run the in-class, extra curriculum programme
🟢Compete - Race and win to qualify for the World Finals
🟢Stay on Track - success takes time. Never give up!
Join the Fanzone and follow the journey:
Linkedin 👍🏽- https://www.linkedin.com/company/f1inschools-south-africa/
Twitter 🔁 - @FutureOnesSTEM
Telegram Group ↗️ - F1 in Schools ZA
Email 📤 - futureones@stratastute.co.za
F1 in Schools South Africa is driven by Future Ones a not-for-profit company, official license holder for the challenge. The programme offers a pathway for South African pupils to direct their talent, passion and career aspirations through a global STEM challenge.
F1 in Schools draws on design, make, test and race principles from the pinnacle of motorsport. This gives pupils, aged 6 to 19, the opportunity to apply maths and science theories while having fun, learning about teamwork and experiencing the thrill of high-performance competition.
The challenge exposes participants and teams to CAD design, applied physics, CAM, marketing, finance, sponsorships, leadership, communication and much more. The Primary STEM challenge offers an affordable entry point to ignite the passion at primary school level. Thereafter, the competition begins as teams shifting gears from paper-based cars and hand-held pumps to model blocks and gas cylinder propulsion. Technical and Competition Regulations govern the programme to ensure consistency across all teams and all countries.
"We are delighted to support the F1 in Schools programme as it continues to inspire and educate young people in STEM subjects, which are critical not only to our sport, but can have a huge impact on the wider society."
- Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and CEO, Formula One
Quality education and decent jobs are key to South Africa's sustainability. F1 in Schools offers a pathway for young, high achievers in South Africa to reach for their dream careers in motorsport and allied industries, starting in the humble classroom. In SA, partnerships with universities, industry and motorsport teams support the sharing and transfer of technical STEM knowledge, racing experience and professional skills. Every generation can get involved, from school pupils and sponsors to retired STEM experts, teachers, professionals and racers. Teams can participate only or choose to compete in the national competition. It all comes down to sponsorships.
The F1 in Schools Primary STEM pilot programme was introduced at a youth center in Johannesburg in 2021, with the support of F1 in Schools HQ. This pilot programme presents a compelling case to expand the reach of F1 in Schools across South African schools, including community centers. Universities also have a role to play in bridging the school-to-varsity transition.
"Offering a way to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths related subjects in such an exciting way is achieving great results and we know we are increasing the intake of students into Engineering careers."
- Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman, F1 in Schools
Schools and teams must raise sponsorships to buy equipment, consumables and to compete. Future Ones NPC administers the programme, runs the competition in compliance with the Rules, administers the Technical Centre and oversees safety, ethics, good governance and fair play across its value chain. Income generated through sponsorships is invested in the administration, promotion and growth of the programme and competition. A central treasury function supports this objective, to reduce the risks of poor governance. Future Ones procures all custom-made equipment from the official supplier.
Play your Part in unlocking the "Pupil-to-Pinnacle" vision if you, your school or your organisation prioritises STEM education, diversity & inclusion and excellence. The foundation for building and sustaining a vibrant industry for STEM and motorsport professionals in South Africa, starts here. Join our quest.
