Prof. Xiu-Tian YAN, (BEng, PhD, CEng, FIMechE, FIET, FHEA), is a Professor in Mechatronics in the  department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management. He was the past Chairman of Robotics and Mechatronics TPN Executive Committee of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Vice-Chairman of Mechatronics Forum - an international mechatronics organisation established in 1992 and sponsored by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the UK.  

His research contributions include a mechatronic system design methodology through the development of a novel ‘design process model’ and associated computer support tools for mechatronic systems design. This model is then applied and validated in developing mechatronic and sustainable solutions to challenging problems found in

• agriculture through award nominated collaborative and innovative AgriRover for autonomous soil fertility sensing for sustainable farming and selective harvesting,
• construction with a sustainable and autonomous factory blueprint for future innovative renovation of social houses in the North Sea Region in Indu-Zero project, and
• Sustainable manufacturing with a SmartMan system for cake production to minimise the waste.

He has published over 260 journal and conference papers and book chapters in leading international journals and conferences in mechatronic system design and modelling, smart farming, engineering system design, haptic system modelling, computer modelling and design support tools for mechatronic system development and applications of design process in several engineering disciplines, manufacturing and assembly, and bio-structure modelling. His research output impact has been realised through extensive knowledge exchange projects and recognised by the awards of National Judges Commendation Award for Knowledge Transfer Partnership Best Partnership Awards 2010, MCN Best Product of the Year 2009 and finalist for the John Logie Baird Innovation Awards.  

Prof. Yan has been nominated for the award of Excellent Teaching for the award of Strathclyde Teaching Excellence in 2014 for "He is very skilful and hardworking teacher".