Professor James Trevelyan is an Emeritus Professor in the Engineering School at The University of Western Australia, Fellow of Engineers Australia, and CEO of Close Comfort Pty Ltd. He practices as a mechanical and mechatronics engineer developing new air conditioning technology.

His main area of research is on engineering practice, and he taught design, sustainability, engineering practice and project management in his 41 year career with the university.

He is well known internationally for pioneering research that resulted in sheep shearing robots (1975-1993).  He and his students produced the first industrial robot that could be remotely operated via the internet in 1994.  He was presented with the 1993 Engelberger Science and Technology Award in Tokyo in recognition of his work, the leading international award for robotics research, equivalent to the Fields medal for mathematics. He was twice been presented with the Japan Industrial Robot Association award for best papers at ISIR conferences.  He has also received university, national and international awards for his teaching and papers on engineering education.

From 1996 till 2002 he researched landmine clearance methods and his web site was an internationally respected reference point for information on landmines.  He was awarded with honorary membership of the Society of Counter Ordnance Technology in 2002 for his efforts, and was also elected a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia. He was founding chair of the Mechatronic Engineering national committee of Engineers Australia. He currently serves on the West Australian Engineering Heritage committee.