Mavis Curtis studied for a PhD at the University of Sheffield, carrying out research into ‘Aspects of children’s oral tradition in Keighley, West Yorkshire’, and receiving her degree in 1998. She continued to work in this area as Research Associate in the National Centre for English Cultural Tradition at Sheffield from 2000 to 2003, looking into ‘The effects of changes in the physical environment of the primary school on children’s games repertoire’. In 2001, she published From Pise-Ball to Pokemon: Ingrow School 1901-2001, and also edited, along with Julia Bishop, Play today in the primary school playground: life, learning and creativity. In 2003, she was part of a multidisciplinary team undertaking research for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s study of disabled children’s inclusion in play at school. Further research papers and conference presentations followed.