He graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in History in 1972, before studying for a postgraduate degree at Wadham College, Oxford University where he teaches the history of science in the Faculty of Modern History.

He is a historian whose particular research interests are in scientific biography and astronomy.  In addition to lecturing, he broadcasts extensively on BBC TV and radio, and on independent TV, on science history subjects.

Allan was born in Manchester and has always maintained close connections with the North West.  He is well known for his support of local astronomical societies as well as his scholarly work on past astronomers – notably Boyle and Hooke.