Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Corrosion is the electrochemical/chemical degradation of materials. Corrosion occurs for all classes of materials, shortens their lifetime, results in the dispersion of corrosion products in the environment, and causes catastrophic accidents and even death. Corrosion science and engineering are disciplines focused on understanding and controlling these corrosion processes. Yearly, about 3.4% of global gross domestic product is lost due to corrosion. One of the reasons is the lack of educated corrosion scientists and engineers. Furthermore, many groups (e.g., women, Indigenous) are vastly underrepresented in the present workforce, although corrosion affects the entire society. We aim to create an international, equitable, and interdisciplinary training program on corrosion science to improve and value corrosion education, to increase the representation of equity-deserving groups employed in corrosion, to increase corrosion awareness in society, and to improve the job-readiness of corrosion students. We have designed a rich training program, in an interdisciplinary team of education, gender, and corrosion researchers and instructors, future employers, and professional associations. Besides research, professional training, and mentoring, the students will receive opportunities for international and intersectoral internships and visits, in any partner labs in 19 countries on six continents, in one of our industrial or governmental partner organisations, or in Indigenous communities. This experience is prepared and followed-up by our corrosion, equity, diversity, environment, and society training, where trainees increase awareness on how corrosion disproportionally affects certain societal groups, countries, and the environment. Professional training includes the tools to mitigate those effects, for example, environmental impact assessment and business case analyses to communicate the value of corrosion protection to industrial and governmental stakeholders. Communication to the general public is part of the training. Our educational and gender research will ensure long-term improvement of inclusive corrosion education.