Rate My Professor Trevor Robinson

Professor Trevor Robinson is the Professor of Computational Design Engineering and Head of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's University Belfast. He earned an MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and a PhD from Queen's University Belfast, conducting his doctoral research while contributing to the European Framework Programme aerospace project VIVACE. As a Chartered Engineer (IMechE) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), he served as Deputy Head of the School from January 2022 and assumed the Head position in February 2025. Previously, he held overall responsibility for the School’s Engineering Leadership Programme from 2014 to 2018.

Robinson specializes in computational methods to automate and enhance engineering design processes, including geometry build, parameterisation, CAD to CAE interoperability, meshing, and intelligent management of simulation attributes. His academic interests encompass generative design systems, Machine Learning applications for simulation models, Finite Element Modelling, mesh generation, Computer-Aided Design, bio-inspired design, and simulation intent. He has supervised 21 PhD students to completion, mentored 13 postdoctoral researchers, and produced over 130 research outputs in prominent journals and conferences. Key publications include 'Determining the parametric effectiveness of a CAD model' (2013, Engineering with Computers), 'Automatic decomposition and efficient semi-structured meshing of complex solids' (2014, Engineering with Computers), 'Automated mixed dimensional modelling from 2D and 3D CAD models' (2011, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design), and 'Load case and constraint downselection for structural optimization' (2026, Journal of Aircraft). As Principal Investigator, he leads projects such as EPSRC 'Dynamically parameterising CAD models using sensitivities for optimisation' (EP/P025692/1), bio-inspired generative design (EP/N005813/1; EP/R003564/1), and the Cyber Modelling Thread in Re-Imagining Engineering Design (EP/V007335/1). He is Queen's lead on ATI initiatives GEMinIDS (£9M) and Colibri (£8.8M), and EU projects IODA (€3.9M) and TOICA (€15M). Robinson has garnered Best Paper Awards at AIAA SciTech 2018, 17th International Conference on Manufacturing Research 2019 (Gold and Silver), NATO STO AVT-407 2025, and others. He serves on the Editorial Board of the CAD Journal (since 2021), chaired the SIAM International Meshing Roundtable (2022), and is a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College.