Paul Wilson is currently the Chair of Criminology at Bond University. Previous academic positions include Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bond University 1993–2001, Foundation Dean of Arts, QUT 1991–1993 and Acting Director, Australian Institute of Criminology 1986–1991 and Director of Research. Professor Wilson was on the Advisory Board for the NRMA.

Currently he is a consultant to a private security organisation, was a regular columnist for the Herald Sunand The Courier-Mail (each for 6 years) and is a regular media commentator on crime and social issues

In 2003 he was awarded the Medal of The Order of Australia (OAM) for Services to Education particularly as a writer and lecturer in the field of criminology. In 2008 he was appointed to the International Criminal Court in the Hague as an expert witness in forensic psychology and criminology.