Williamson is an alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering. He began his academic career as a student in the days when Engineering was still taught at Ardmore but completed his studies on the city campus, graduating in 1970. Following his PhD, Professor Williamson worked for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation before joining the University in 1975 when the department had just eight academic staff. In 2010 Allan gained a DEng, a higher doctorate awarded for original contributions of special excellence in a branch of engineering or technology.
