Qualitative research project conducted for Howard Gardner's "Good Work" course at Harvard University. Presented findings in-process on November 19, 2012. Full report available at: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12828081/Research%20for%20Mozzadrella.me/GennarelliGoodWorkFinal.pdf

1. Coworking Well
Learning from and with Coworking & Coliving Spaces
Vanessa Gennarelli
H175 Gardner Good Work
@mozzadrella

2. What’s Coworking?
“Coworking” was
coined by engineer
Brad Neuberg in 2005
to describe the first
shared space for
remote workers Image credit: Andreas Dantz

3. 7 years later, 1,800 coworking spaces exist
Image credit: Deskmag.com
What’s Coworking?

4. Who are “coworkers”?
Usually share values *and*
physical spaces
Demographics trend towards
remote workers, knowledge
workers, and small startups
Some spaces have a
targeted audience (i.e.
tech), others welcome
workers of all sorts
Image credit: Ben Leuner

5. Full Disclosure...
I’m an ardent coworker
Evidence:
Indyhall (Philadelphia): 2010-2011
Workbar (Boston): 2011
New Work City (New York): 2012-present
I care about creating spaces for people to share and grow

6. Research Question
No two coworking spaces are the same, but some nurture
engaging, excellent and ethical work
Can we demonstrate if and how coworking spaces expand
human potential via Good Work?
Lessons learned will be applied to a future coliving
community

7. Methods & Current Status
7 interviews of coworking and coliving space founders and
employees
Site visits of 5 different coworking spaces
Emic coding system
6/7 interviews transcribed and coded

8. Findings
Horizontal Interactions: Designing for Human Growth
Recruitment and Onboarding
“Opt-in” vs. “Screening” (and impact on diversity)
Socialization of new members
Space arrangement

9. Findings
Trust: Discipline and Governance
“Top-down” versus “emergent” governance
What actions are violations against the community
Frequency of violations against community norms

10. Discussion
Origin: People vs. Space
Push vs. Pull Culture
Diversity and personal growth

11. Next steps
Code one interview, another this week
Discussion--what does this mean for the design of a new
space?
Collate stories of people’s personal and professional growth
Question to class--what is most interesting?