By Dr Prafull Sharma (Interim Chair, Midland’s Branch)
Our Year to Date
2024 has been a year of reforming and progress for the ICORR Midlands Branch. The branch, under new leadership of Dr Prafull Sharma, has embarked on initiatives to enhance its activities and strengthen member engagement. One key area of focus has been regional outreach, particularly to universities, aiming to encourage young professionals 
to join ICORR and contribute to its growing community. Plans are also underway to further develop physical and digital engagement, combining events with an intensified presence on online platforms.
The branch’s digital initiatives have shown remarkable success. The ICorr LinkedIn channel, launched just a few months ago, has quickly surpassed 1,000 followers and continues to grow. This platform has become a vital resource for updates, educational content, and community interaction, and we encourage all members to follow it for the latest news. Expanding on this, the branch also launched a YouTube channel this year.
This will serve as a repository for all future webinars and educational resources, making them accessible to a broader audience. Members and followers can now revisit valuable sessions or catch up on missed events at their convenience.
In addition to these digital advancements, on 19th June 2024 the branch has previously hosted a well-received webinar on Generative AI for Corrosion Professionals. This session, attended by over 200 members, explored the applications of artificial intelligence in addressing corrosion challenges, providing attendees with insights into the potential of AI to transform the field. The success of this event has reaffirmed the importance of delivering high-quality, innovative content to members and has inspired plans for several webinars in 2025. Refer to: www.icorr.org/midlands/Local Technical Programme – 2024 Presentations.
A mini-conference is proposed for 2025, with dates to be announced soon. The conference will bring together industry professionals, researchers, and academics to discuss current trends, challenges, and innovations in corrosion science. Meanwhile, the branch is also collaborating with the Marine Corrosion Forum (MCF) to organise a joint event in April 2025, reflecting a strengthened partnership and a commitment to fostering broader industry collaboration.
Engagement with MCF has been another highlight of the year, exchanging ideas and building connections to enhance ICorr’s impact. This collaboration underlines the branch’s mission to foster partnerships that amplify the reach and value of its activities.
As we move forward, ICorr Midlands remains dedicated to creating a dynamic, inclusive platform for knowledge sharing and professional development. With plans for innovative digital content, impactful events, and strategic collaborations, the branch is well-prepared to deliver value to its members while advancing the corrosion profession. We thank all ICorr members for their continued support and look forward to your continued engagement in the coming year.
Upcoming Branch Events
For future events please visit: www.icorr.org/events/
If you wish to present, please contact: midlandschair@icorr.org
Photo: Dr Prafull Sharma, 
Interim Chair, Midland’s Branch.
Photo: Midlands Webinar – Generative AI for Corrosion Professionals.
