Professor Wilkinson is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton and Honorary Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at University Hospital Southampton. 

He is the chief investigator and clinical director for the National UNIVERSAL Respiratory Viral Research Programme, respiratory and allergy theme Lead for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton and national clinical lead for the Royal College of Physicians national COPD audit programme.

He has authored more than 150 papers and 500 abstracts presented at national and international meetings. His work focusses on developing new approaches for preventing COPD exacerbations using and reducing the burden of respiratory infections.