After my first degree in history at the University of York, I taught EFL in Italy, then after PGCE (primary) taught in the London Borough of Brent. My PhD (Goldsmiths' College, University of London) was on Children and Religion in the 18th and 19th centuries. I have taught on BA (Hons) Childhood and Education Studies at the University of Greenwich since 2001, and am a Principal Lecturer and Research Lead in the School of Education, as well as holding research-related roles in the Institute of Lifecourse Development. My research focuses on the history of childhood, youth and education, especially children's illness, religion, play, and youth movements. I founded the Life-cycles seminar at the Institute of Historical Research in 2008, and co-founded the Children's History Society, UK in 2015.