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Concordia University Concordia celebrates 50 years!
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Concordia University Concordia celebrates 50 years!

The SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation

The SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation

SHIFT Collaborative Space

in the heart of Concordia's downtown campus

Home to the SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation and the Office of Community Engagement (OCE), the SHIFT Centre is a welcoming space to connect with other community members, collaborate, learn and share skills, and tackle societal challenges within and beyond Concordia.

Facilities

Located at the heart of Concordia’s downtown campus, it's an accessible venue on the first floor of the J.W. McConnell Building (LB-145), near Concordia’s 4TH SPACE and the R. Howard Webster Library.

The SHIFT Centre offers four rooms designed for collaborative work sessions, or to host large and small events.

SHIFT's space is wheelchair accessible with an automatic door opener. For step-free access to the building, use the entrance at 1400 Maisonneuve Blvd W.  

Transportation:  

  • Métro Guy-Concordia, 24 Bus, nearby street parking 
  • Closest accessible metro: McGill (Green Line) 

Washrooms access

SHIFT does not have washrooms in our space. Washrooms can be found in the Webster Library building:  

  • Ground floor: Inclusive, accessible washrooms available.  
  • Second floor (LB 212 & LB 214): Gendered washrooms with accessible stalls (no automatic door openers).  
  • Sixth floor (LB 624 & LB 626): Gendered washrooms with accessible stalls (no automatic door openers) 

COVID-19

SHIFT follows Concordia University’s COVID-19 protocols. As of June 23, 2022, public health restrictions (masking and distancing) have been lifted. We continue to provide masks at the front desk for those who prefer to use them. 

Child-Welcoming Space:

Children are always welcome in the SHIFT space. Though we do not have on-site childcare support, we are committed to providing free childcare at our events whenever requested. 

Co-working space | open space area

Two females are seated on highchairs and table in the co-working space, smiling at each other, another one is seen further in the back seated on a block.
Three female community members are using the SHIFT open space

With plenty of natural light, the co-working/open space area is perfect for individual work or coworking sessions. 

Features

  • 14 hot desks
  • Laptop charger ports
  • Access to a couch area
  • Access to the kitchen and dining area

Coworking Days: Open access to the SHIFT open space. 

  • Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Open Space | small or large events

An open area with two tables and office chairs, a screen and projector, and a couch area with coffee table
An L-shaped couch, stools and table in front of a screen on the wall

The open space is located near the entrance to the SHIFT Centre. The space can be set up to host small or large events for up to 50 participants (e.g., networking events, workshops, public events).

Features

  • Suitable for up to 50 participants
  • Projector and screen
  • Zoned speaker system
  • Wireless BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) connections (laptops, tablets, phones – up to 4 at a time).
  • Access to the kitchen and dining area 

Conference room (LB 145.10)

A long table with seats for up to 14 people with black chairs, a white board and large screen

The conference room is equipped to comfortably accommodate up to 25 people. It can be used for events, large team meetings, or presentations  — virtually or in person.

Features

  • Suitable for large meetings of up to 50 people
  • Laptop connections
  • Wireless BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) connections (laptops, tablets, phones – up to 4 at a time).
  • Camera and a microphone system (for hybrid sessions)
  • Audio set up via ceiling speakers 

Available to SHIFT and OCE partners, the Concordia community, and broader Montreal community members whose work aligns with SHIFT's values and mission

Breakout rooms (Oak: LB 145.07, Birch: LB 145.09)

Three females, 1 standing, two seated, are discussing in a room with clear glass walls, a white table, a white board and a TV screen.
A person is sitting in the breakout room and working on their laptop. The room has clear glass walls and includes a white table, a white board, a TV screen and a recycle bin.

The breakout rooms give you a quiet space to conduct smaller meetings, make private phone calls, and take video calls without distraction. The rooms are suitable for individuals or small groups of up to 4 people.

Features

  • TV monitor
  • Wired laptop connection (for powerpoint etc.)
  • Wireless BYOD connections (laptops, tablets, phones – up to 4 at a time)
  • Camera/microphone/speaker system (for hybrid sessions)

Lounge room (LB 145.14)

Three females are working in the lounge room: 1 is seated on a high white chair with their laptop on a high white table; the two others are seating on a long green couch. The room faces the street side, visible through the large glass window.
Three females are working in the lounge room: 1 is seated on a white chair with their laptop on a white table; the two others are seating on a long green couch. The room includes a green plan by the window, a short table and a TV screen.

The lounge room offers a semi-formal setting to conduct meetings, hold brainstorming sessions or collaborate on projects. Facing Metcalfe Street, the room is cozy, well-lit, and fully equipped to welcome team members and partners.

Features

  • Suitable for small teams of 2 to 9 people
  • TV monitor
  • Wired laptop connection (for power point, etc.)
  • Wireless BYOD connections (laptops, tablets, phones – up to 4 at a time)
  • Camera/microphone/speaker system (for hybrid sessions)

Available for reservation by SHIFT and OCE community partnres and others doing socially transformative and community-rooted work.

Kitchen and dining area

An open kitchen and dining area with two long tables, a counter with coffee and tea maker and large SHIFT letters at the top of the shelves.
A female is sitting in the dining area looking at her phone, the area includes two long tables, a counter with coffee and tea maker and large SHIFT letters at the top of the shelves.

Users of The SHIFT Centre have access to a fully equipped kitchen and a dining area. The place is perfect for small kitchen talks, connecting and sharing a meal. The kitchen and dining area is open and accessible everyone at the centre.

Features

  • Seats up to 8 people
  • Fridge, toaster oven, dishwasher, and coffee machine
  • Dining table and chairs
  • Kitchen utensils and tableware
  • Complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks

Access to the space

Coworking Days - Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Coworking Days, SHIFT's coworking and open space are open to anyone working on social change and community engaged projects. Members of the SHIFT and OCE communities, Concordians, and the broader public are welcome to drop in and use the space. 

No reservation is required, seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Room Reservations - Monday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SHIFT and OCE partners and community members can use the open space area or reserve rooms to host meetings, workshops, small events, etc.

To reserve a room, send your request. 

Hosting an event at SHIFT

SHIFT's open space area is available to our partners, Concordians and the broader public to host events that tackle systems of injustice, inequity, or sustainability at Concordia or beyond. 

All event proposals will be reviewed based on value alignment, space capacity and availability. Note that priority is given to members and partners of the SHIFT and OCE communities. To host an event at SHIFT, you can fill out the proposal form:

Fill out our event request form

Events


No upcoming events at this time.

 
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