If you’re looking for a space to work, to meet as a team, or engage with partners, you may wish to join The CoLab.  At Spark, we get excited by the energy that develops when people working on diverse projects interact, and so have built a coworking space where you can both focus and engage with other faculty, research staff, RAs and grad students across disciplines.   

Who can use it? 

Graduate students, research staff or research assistants (undergrad, grad, post-doc) and faculty from across McMaster are eligible to join the CoLab. 

Cost? 

It’s free for use as a work space.  The CoLab and several of Spark’s other facilities can also be rented out. Please email us to learn more about rental options.    

What’s in The CoLab? 

In addition to an open space with 15 tables that seat 4, we have two offices that can be reserved for private meetings through our Booking System, two small rooms that are great for making phone calls, and a meeting room that can seat 12.  All of these spaces are available first come, first served via our Booking System.  We also have two large television screens for research teams to use.   

When can it be used? 

Those who join the CoLab can access it any time the building is open, which is 6:15 am to 11:15 pm, Monday-Friday and 6:30 am to 5:30 pm on Saturdays. L.R. Wilson is closed on Sundays and holidays.

Where is it? 

The CoLab is on the 5th floor of LR Wilson Hall in 5803.  Here’s a map of campus to guide you.  Follow directions on the 5th floor to Spark: a centre for social research innovation.   

How do I join? 

It's simple. You can stop by for a brief (15 minute) orientation any time between 9:00am and 12:00pm, and 1pm - 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Just ring the bell and someone will answer, or email us at talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to schedule a time to visit. We'll ask you to sign a user agreement, arrange for access to the space, and get you set up on our Booking System to reserve private spaces in the CoLab.

I’m a member and want to reserve a space.  How do I do that? 

For members that have McMaster email addresses: you will be added to our Booking System within 24 hours of your orientation. Just open the link: https://rooms.mcmaster.ca/portal, select the room or equipment you want to use, and book it. All spaces can be booked automatically for up to 2 hours and can be held up to a week in advance. Requests beyond two hours or more than a week out can be made in the system but will not be automatic – the CoLab team will consider those requests and respond. Book spaces and equipment here:  https://rooms.mcmaster.ca/portal. (Users must be connected to VPN if booking remotely off-campus).

For members that do not have McMaster email addresses: Please fill out this form and we will get back to you to confirm or offer alternatives.  https://forms.gle/sEVHC1yTtoR7gHGe8.