wilkinson had successfully applied for the creation of the faculty of architecture at the university of sydney. he was appointed as the dean and continued for four years to move architectural education more towards the theory and philosophies of design. during his career as an academic, wilkinson had also practised as architect. he was appointed the university of sydney architect in 1919, during which he contributed to the university's master plan, inspired by the walter burley griffin's previous unused 1915 campus masterplan. he was also influential in designing residential and church architecture and became the first president of new south wales state chapter of the royal australian institute of architects in 1933. wilkinson won the first gold medal in 1961. in that year the award was named the wilkinson award in his honour.