She obtained her MA in Near Eastern Archaeology and Ancient Iranian Languages from the University of Göttingen and her PhD on Parthian art from University College London.
In 1983-2003, Curtis was the Joint Editor of Iran: Journal of the British Institute of Persian Studies, in 1998-2003 Secretary of the British Institute of Persian Studies (BIPS), in 2006-2011, President of BIPS, and in 2005-2010 secretary of the Royal Numismatic Society.
Curtis is a member of the Academic Committee of the Iran Heritage Foundation (IHF).
[4] Curtis is the honorary director of the British Institute of Persian Studies.
[5] She is married to John Curtis FBA, CEO of the Iran Heritage Foundation and the British Museum Keeper of Special Middle East Projects.