Maarit’s research interests range from stage and film costume history, dress history and the use of technological tools in design and research processes. Her pioneering doctoral thesis investigated the notions of digital character costume design in computer-animated feature films. Maarit also participated the European Research Council consolidator-grant funded project Refashioning the Renaissance: Popular Groups, Fashion, and the Material and Cultural Significance of Clothing in Europe, 1550–1650, led by Professor Paula Hohti. In this project Maarit built digital reconstructions of historical garments.

In 2019, Maarit won the Herbert D. Greggs Honor Award from the USITT editorial staff and the TD&T Publications Committee for her costume history article ’The King and His Costumes’. Maarit’s dynamic involvement in international discourse is visible in her memberships in OISTAT Costume Sub commission, Society for Animation Studies (SAS) and Performing Dress Lab. Maarit has received Eino Salmelainen foundation’s Theatre Arts Recognition- award for her sustained contribution to the development of the costume design field.