Allison first came to the University of Kentucky in the Political Science PhD program, where her research interests included political tolerance, grassroots organization, organizational theory, public policy, education, and ethics. After three semesters, Allison joined the Martin School of Public Policy & Administration, pursuing an MPA. Her Capstone defense is to occur on December 1, 2014.  

Allison has written a chapter on the creative class for an introductory text, Applied Creative Thinking. She has also interned with the City Manager of Delaware City, Ohio, where she firsthand studied interdepartmental coordination and relationships, including implementation processes and interactions with the public and other governmental figures and institutions ranging from the local business association to the U.S. National Guard. While there, she also created a three-part volunteer program geared towards citizen participation and involvement. Most recently, Allison was a Graduate Fellow with the Council of State Governments, conducting general research into policy issues, research relevant state statutes, compile original legislation databases, analyze trends within that data, and compose accompanying summary briefs. In addition, she has assisted with and attended numerous Policy Academies, bringing together state legislators and researchers in constructive dialogue.