On the 2nd December 2025, the Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) was proud to serve as a sponsor of the prestigious 72nd Hatfield Memorial Lecture, https://sheffield.ac.uk/cmbe/school/events/72nd-hatfield-memorial-lecture hosted at the University of Sheffield. ICorr’s President, Dr Yunnan Gao, attended the event on behalf of the Institute, demonstrating ICorr’s ongoing commitment to supporting academic excellence and advancing corrosion and materials science across the UK.

A Distinguished Lecture Delivered by ICorr Fellow Professor Mary Ryan

This year’s lecture was delivered by Professor Mary Ryan, CBE, FREng, FICorr, a Fellow of ICorr and Vice Provost (Research and Enterprise) at Imperial College London, https://www.imperial.ac.uk/about/leadership-and-strategy/provost/vice-provost-research/ who is renowned globally for her work in corrosion, surface engineering, and nanomaterials. Professor Ryan offered an insightful and forward-looking presentation entitled Life and Death at the Nanoscale” that captured the attention of industry experts, academics, and students alike.

Her lecture continued the long-standing tradition of the Hatfield Memorial Lecture series, which honours metallurgist Professor William Hatfield and has become a cornerstone event for the UK materials and corrosion community.

Presentation of the Hatfield Award

During the event, Professor Mary Ryan was formally recognised for her significant academic and professional achievements. She received a commemorative award presented by Professor Joan Cordiner, Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CMBE) at the University of Sheffield, marking a highlight of the evening.

ICorr’s Role and Presence at the Event

As one of the official sponsors, ICorr’s support was prominently acknowledged throughout the night, including on the main auditorium screen and event materials. The presence of the ICorr President reinforced the Institute’s mission to promote collaboration, scientific excellence, and knowledge exchange across the corrosion and materials community.

ICorr’s involvement with the Hatfield Memorial Lecture reflects its dedication to fostering innovation and supporting both established and emerging experts in the field.