Alan is a former Dean of the Bartlett faculty of the Built Environment (2009-19), he is a founding director of Space Syntax Ltd, a UCL knowledge transfer spin out with a portfolio of over 100 applied projects per year, including whole city masterplans, neighbourhood development plans and individual buildings.

He is a board member of UCL Consultants Ltd. He is a member of the Space Syntax Laboratory within The Bartlett School of Architecture. He was the Chair of the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning sub-panel 16 and a member of Main-panel C for the Research Excellence Framework 2014. He is Principal Investigator on the £5m five year EPSRC funded Digital Economy Hub: Urban Dynamics Lab. He is a founding trustee of the Shakespeare North Trust a charity which is constructing a new Shakespearian theatre and educational centre in Prescot outside Liverpool. He has a part time role as Chief Scientific Advisor at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.