Newhouse Spaces That Encourage Collaboration and Growth 

If you are a Newhouse student, chances are you have heard whispers about two of the most dynamic spaces on campus: the CODE^SHIFT Lab and The Startup Garage. But when I first started at Newhouse, I had no idea what these spaces were, or how to access them. 

Turns out, these are not just rooms with fancy tech or a bunch of cool tables and chairs – they are hubs that foster campus-wide collaboration, innovation and research. 

CODE^SHIFT (COllaboratory for Data Equity, Social Healing, Inclusive Futures, and Transformation) 

Located in Newhouse 3, room 425, this research space is where media meets activism, and technology fuels change. The lab was founded by Dr. Srividya “Srivi” Ramasubramanian, a Newhouse Professor and Endowed Chair, whose expertise spans media literacy, antiracism, data justice, community-based research, critical media effects and intersectionality. This is not your average lab with microscopes and beakers – think more research books and posters by SU faculty and students, cutting-edge data, storytelling tools and an ethos that prioritizes justice.  

One of the biggest draws of CODE^SHIFT is its interdisciplinary approach. Whether you are a journalism student looking into the ethical use of AI or a gender studies major who uses data to support social equity, you will find a space that encourages deep dives into media impact. Faculty and students associated with the lab work on projects that unpack bias in algorithmic decision-making, push for transparency in digital media and create new tools to challenge systemic inequities. If you are someone who cares about how media can be leveraged for social good, CODE^SHIFT is your playground.  

The Newhouse Startup Garage 

If you are more about building something from scratch, The Startup Garage is your spot. Located in Newhouse 1, room 220, the Garage is part of the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship and is designed for students who want to launch their own media ventures, whether that is a new-age digital magazine, a marketing agency or an events company. 

The best part? The Startup Garage does not just give you a desk and wish you luck. It is a place which takes big, wild ideas for media and tech startups from concept to reality, with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and guidance on developing a business.  

This is where Jake Lazarus, a broadcast and digital journalism graduate student, launched his venture Sports Media Insider: a newsletter focused on bridging the gap between the business of sports and its fans.  

“I use this space to collaborate with my teammates, I use this space for classes, and to hang out with like-minded, really driven, ambitious people,” Lazarus said. 

These two spaces might seem like they cater to different crowds – the researcher vs. the entrepreneur – but there is significant overlap. At Newhouse, I have found myself at the intersection of research and media innovation. You might work with CODE^SHIFT on a data-driven project and realize there’s a startup opportunity within it. Or you might be in the Startup Garage, brainstorming a new digital platform, and turn to CODE^SHIFT projects for insights on ethical AI usage or content bias. 

At the end of the day, whether you are in CODE^SHIFT, redefining the ethics of emerging tech or in the Startup Garage, bringing new media ideas to life, these spaces are here to help you push boundaries. The only question is: how will you use them?