Helen Edwards is Professor of Software Engineering. In her research she investigates the socio-technical aspects of computing: that is, how individuals and organisations interact with digital technology. At the organisational level her focus is on how IT systems are acquired and embedded in organisations (and the disruption and/or benefits this brings). At the individual level she focuses on the community and home environment, and the ubiquity of digital technologies there. Helen investigates these issues in contextual studies, predominantly using qualitative field methods. She leads the Informatics for Business and Manufacturing theme. She is a founder member of the NERIS (North East Information Systems) group.