Biography

Sian Joel-Edgar an Associate Professor in Human-Centred Computing and is the Director of Post-Graduate Taught at Northeastern University, London. Previously she was a Staff Tutor at the Open University and a Lecturer at Aston University. Sian has an MSc in Computer Science (UEA), a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (Napier University, Edinburgh), and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Sian’s research considers the role of humans in computer systems, their involvement in the design and evaluation of computer systems in applied (often Business contexts) and how humans adopt and share computer systems.

Sian has researched information systems and patient pathways in healthcare environments and designed and evaluated information visualisations and dashboards in engineering projects. She has analysed networks of communication (such as social media) and the role this plays in information and knowledge sharing. She has looked at the perceived barriers and enablers of AI adoption in Human Resource Management. Recent research has looked at the ethical implications of emerging technologies (such as Virtual Reality).

Qualifications

PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (Edinburgh, Napier University, Scotland)
MSc in Computer Science (University of East Anglia)

Research

Sian’s research focuses on human-centred computing, information systems, ethics, and digital transformation, with an interest in how humans perceive technology (particularly AI and AI avatars). Her research has been applied to socio-technical systems in many different academic and industry context (e.g. HR, Healthcare, Creative Industries and Marketing).

Publications

Joel-Edgar, S., Chowdhury, S., Nagy, P. and Ren, S., 2025. Virtual influencers in social media versus the metaverse: Mind Perception, blame judgements and brand trust. Journal of Business Research, 189, p.115139.

Holme, I., Joel-Edgar, S., Doyle, M. and Gornicka, B., 2024. Social media and political participation: making sense of digital feminist Twitter artifacts in the aftermath of a Belfast rape trial and# IBelieveHer. In Handbook of Social Media in Education Consumer Behavior and Politics (pp. 249-275). Academic Press.

Karppi, M., Aramo-Immonen, H., Hyrkkänen, U., Joel-Edgar, S. and Jokisaari, M., 2024. Event chains triggering or hindering the emergence of shared leadership in project teams.

Joel-Edgar, S. and Pan, Y. 2024 Generative AI as a Tool for Thematic Analysis: An Exploratory Study with ChatGPT. In U.K. Association of Information Systems (UKAIS) conference.

Mohammed, K., Uren, V., Joel-Edgar, S. and Omenedo, P. 2023 Usability and User Experience of Mobile Applications: A Case of Functional Illiterates in Nigeria in AfriCHI November 27 – 1st December.

Jacobs, A., Pan, Y., & Joel-Edgar, S. 2023 Are you in or not? A study into student intention to use immersive metaverse for learning. In U.K. Association of Information Systems (UKAIS)

Chowdhury, S., Dey, P., Joel-Edgar, S., Bhattacharya, S., Rodriguez-Espindola, O., Abadie, A. and Truong, L., 2022. Unlocking the value of artificial intelligence in human resource management through AI capability framework. Human Resource Management Review, p.100899.

Chowdhury, S., Budhwar, P., Dey, P.K., Joel-Edgar, S. and Abadie, A., 2022. AI-employee collaboration and business performance: Integrating knowledge-based view, socio-technical systems and organisational socialisation framework. Journal of Business Research, 144, pp.31-49.

Chowdhury, S., Joel-Edgar, S., Dey, P.K., Bhattacharya, S. and Kharlamov, A., 2022. Embedding transparency in artificial intelligence machine learning models: managerial implications on predicting and explaining employee turnover. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, pp.1-32.