Miguel Tiago, FIA Regional Coordinator for Africa and a respected leader in the development of African motor sport, has been selected as the first scholar in residence. Representing South Africa and Mozambique and affiliated with the Automóvel Touring Clube de Moçambique (ATCM), Miguel will undertake a focused residency from 19 to 23 January 2026 at the FIA Archives in Valleiry. 

Under the academic supervision of FIA University Professor David Hassan, Miguel Tiago will explore the early organisational development and governance structures of the FIA. His work draws on rare and original documents housed at the FIA Valleiry Logistical Centre – many of which are being studied academically for the first time. 

This initiative is coordinated by Lana Ghvinjilia, FIA Archive Digitisation and  E-Library project Curator, and Jean-François Ruchaud, project historian. The residency is designed to exemplify the applied academic potential of the FIA’s archival collections, which now include over 88,000 digitised pages and 1,200 published documents, preserving more than 120 years of the Federation’s institutional memory and heritage. 

Following his visit, Miguel Tiago will have two months to develop a draft research paper for peer review, with the objective of publication in a relevant academic journal of international standard. The outcomes of this work will also be disseminated through FIA University platforms, contributing to broader historical understanding of the FIA’s global governance evolution. 

Professor David Hassan, FIA University, said: “This residency marks an important milestone for FIA University’s knowledge ecosystem. By facilitating original scholarship rooted in primary materials, we are not only preserving our shared heritage but also creating meaningful research opportunities in motor sport and mobility.” 

The residency programme is currently in its pilot phase, with two additional scholars scheduled for research visits in March 2026. The long-term vision is to establish the FIA Archives as a recognised international centre for scholarly research in mobility and motor sport studies. 
 

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Media enquiries 

Sophia Martin-Pavlou, Director of Corporate Communications – smartin-pavlou@fia.com  

About the Research Scholar 

Miguel Tiago brings over two decades of experience in motor sport leadership across the African continent. A former national karting champion, he has served in officiating roles including Race Steward, Clerk of the Course, and Safety Delegate. In his current position as FIA Regional Coordinator for Africa, Miguel Tiago supports capacity-building and development initiatives across national sporting authorities. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the UK’s National Motorsport Academy, building on FIA University certifications in Motorsport Leadership and Governance. In 2024, he participated in the FIA University Advanced Leadership Programme. 

About the Archive Digitisation and E-Library Project 

Launched in 2022, the Archive Digitisation and E-Library project is a cornerstone of FIA University’s mission to preserve, analyse, and share the Federation’s institutional heritage. With over 2 million pages of material archived and more than 80,000 already digitised, the initiative provides a vital academic resource for research in motor sport, governance, and mobility.