Professor Wright is one of the leading experts in legal analysis in the field of occupational health and safety law, public health law and environmental law in Europe.

He has undertaken a number of research programmes with the International Labour Organisation, the European Commission and the Health and Safety Executive.

Strong collaborative links have been established with key institutions and bodies and professional legal practice both within the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.

Over the last thirty years increasing emphasis has been placed on the legal responsibility of companies for managing the health and safety of their employees and those who might be affected by their activities.

Professor Wright has recently contributed to Corporate Liability: Work Related Deaths and Criminal Prosecutions published by Lexis Nexis. Butterworths 2003 ISBN 0-406-93176-3.

A comparative analysis of health and safety laws in European Union Member States focusing on the compatibility of the standard of 'reasonable practicability' in UK health and safety legislation with European Union Law;

Regina v. Davies (David Janway) [2003], ICR 586, ([2002] EWCA Crim 2949). On 18 December 2002, the Court of Appeal ruled that section 40, Health and Safety at Work etc., Act 1974, which provides that the onus of proof in establishing the defence of reasonable practicability rests with the defence, is not incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. Professor Wright assisted the Defence team in that case.

Professor Wright currently advises Boards of Directors and legal practitioners on the investigation of legal techniques and comparative health and safety law and environmental and social policy issues confronting the railways, the energy and construction industries, hospital and prison services and schools in EU Member States.

Professor Wright leads an externally funded 150 member European Environmental Law Research and Publication Reference Group which covers the 15 EU Member States and 3 EEA Countries. This Group assists in the study of health and safety law and environmental law issues in the transition countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. Professor Wright has published widely with Victoria Howes in this area. (See publications list).

Professor Wright is currently undertaking commissioned research with Professor Alan C. Neal for the Health and Safety Executive in relation to: Civil liability: A Survey of Changes in the Volume and Composition of Claims for Damages for Occupational Injury or Ill Health resulting from the Management of Health and Safety at Work and Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 2003. The study is to be published in July 2005.

Professor Wright is currently undertaking commissioned research with Professor Alan C. Neal, University of Warwick, for the Health and Safety Executive in relation to: Company Law: Directors Duties and Responsibilities (Health and Safety Law and Environmental Law). The study is to be published in July 2005.

Professor Wright's ongoing work addresses the developing health and safety law, environmental law and public health law in the European Union.