Professor Wainwright is a Chemical Engineer with an outstanding research record in several areas. His research in applied catalysis and catalytic reaction engineering has been recognised by the award of two prestigious medals by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. The Applied Research Medal is awarded annually by the RACI for outstanding research in the applications of chemistry. The R.K. Murphy medal is awarded every two years by the Industrial Chemistry Division of the RACI for outstanding research in Chemical Engineering and/or Process Chemistry.
The University of New South Wales recognised Professor Wainwright's contributions to research by awarding him a Personal Chair in Chemical Engineering in 1989. Personal Chairs are very rare in the University and there are less than thirty of these amongst the academic staff which number around 1,700.
Professor Wainwright has made outstanding contributions to the administration of engineering education. He has been Head of what is widely regarded as the premier Chemical Engineering Department in Australia. He is currently Dean of Australia's largest Faculty of Engineering.
Professor Wainwright has held major administrative positions in the RACI. These include, Chairman of the Industrial Chemistry Division, Chairman of the N.S.W. Industrial Chemistry Group and membership of the N.S.W. Branch Committee. He is currently a member of the N.S.W. Chemical Industry Task Force which has a role in ensuring sustainable development of the Chemical Industry in N.S.W. He is Chairman of the Waste Management Working Group of the Task Force. His involvement in the wider community is through his membership of Rotary International.