[1] Allan was appointed as a temporary employee at the Australia Museum in February 1917 and worked as an assistant to Charles Hedley.

[2] She was initially responsible for assisting with the curation of the conchology collection as well as providing illustrations for scientific papers written by other museum staff.

[5] Allan frequently appeared as the subject of articles in newspaper and magazines, not only as a result of being a woman scientist, but also because of her talent at science communication.

During the Second World War she worked in the National Emergency Services and was appointed assistant to the superintendent of air-raid precautions.

[1] In 1943 Allan was elected a fellow of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, and in doing so became the first woman to achieve this honour.

[1] In early 1949 Allan was appointed curator of shells for the Museum and while holding that position attended gatherings of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science.

Joyce's grandfather was a noted artist and member of the Edinburgh Academy whilst working as a judge in Wellington.