Before joining the faculty at The University of Texas he was the coordinator of the juvenile justice concentration at North Carolina Central University and on the faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. He has a combined twenty-eight years of practice and research experience. His general research interest and area of expertise is children and families residing in urban communities. He is particularly interested in children involved in multiple systems and the interaction between police and juveniles in urban communities. Dr. Allen’s work is guided by the belief that the coordination of child welfare, education and juvenile justice systems are critical to helping children and families on the margins of society.