A three-part series on graduate attributes, conversation, and what universities really are
In Part 1, we saw how universities—once communities built around dialogue—have become surprisingly quiet, with conversation systematically removed from student experience.
In Part 2, we explored the gap between beautiful graduate attribute aspirations and the missing conversational infrastructure needed to actually develop them.
But what if universities had access to systematic, evidence-based tools for developing graduate attributes through conversation? What if the infrastructure already existed—free, accessible, and ready to implement?
That's exactly what FlourishTalk provides: 23,383 research-backed questions across 37 categories, designed to develop the precise capacities universities say they value.
This isn't theoretical. We've seen it work. BeWell used just 6 conversation cards to produce measurable improvements in student retention and development. FlourishTalk scales that model across every dimension of graduate attributes—with proof that structured conversation changes outcomes.
Before we map FlourishTalk to graduate attributes, remember what conversation cards can achieve
At Stellenbosch University, the BeWell program gave peer mentors just 6 conversation cards based on Hettler's Wellness Model. The cards didn't provide answers—they provided questions that facilitated meaningful dialogue about wellbeing.
The most striking finding? Greatest impact for the most vulnerable populations. The program didn't just work—it closed equity gaps by providing structured conversation tools that anyone could use.
If 6 cards could produce measurable developmental outcomes,
what could 23,383 questions across 37 categories achieve?
That's the question FlourishTalk answers. We've taken the BeWell model—structured conversation that develops capacities—and scaled it across every dimension of graduate attributes.
Systematic conversation infrastructure for every attribute cluster
Let's see exactly how FlourishTalk provides the conversational infrastructure universities need—with specific categories and example questions for each graduate attribute.
Critical thinker · Lifelong learner · Reflective practitioner
Questions that develop metacognition—thinking about thinking—the foundation of critical inquiry.
"What's the difference between being certain and being right? Can you think of a time you were certain but wrong?"
Questions that challenge assumptions, reveal biases, and develop intellectual humility.
"What's a belief you held strongly five years ago that you've changed your mind about? What evidence convinced you?"
Questions that cultivate intellectual dispositions: curiosity, persistence, precision, questioning.
"When you encounter something you don't understand, what's your typical response? What would change if you responded with curiosity instead?"
Questions developing autonomous learning strategies and self-regulated study approaches.
"How do you know when you truly understand something versus when you're just familiar with it?"
💡 3,680 questions systematically developing critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and reflective practice
Socially responsible · Culturally competent · Ethically grounded
Questions that develop awareness of privilege, power, and systemic inequality.
"What privilege do you have that you didn't earn? How does awareness of that privilege inform your actions?"
Questions building cultural competence through perspective-taking and empathy.
"When have you realized your perspective was limited by your own experience? What helped you see beyond it?"
Questions developing ethical reasoning and moral awareness in complex situations.
"What does it mean to act with integrity when no one is watching? When has that been difficult for you?"
Questions connecting personal development to collective wellbeing and global citizenship.
"How do you contribute to collective wellbeing beyond your immediate circle? What could you do differently?"
Questions developing environmental awareness and sustainable thinking.
"What responsibility do you have for environmental challenges you didn't create? How do you balance personal action with systemic change?"
💡 3,101 questions systematically developing social responsibility, cultural competence, and ethical awareness
Problem-solver · Communicator · Collaborative · Adaptive
Questions developing professional communication, conflict navigation, and workplace collaboration.
"When you disagree with a team decision, how do you typically respond? What would change if you voiced your concern constructively?"
Questions developing leadership capacities: influence, decision-making, creating conditions for others' success.
"How do you create conditions for others to do their best work? What gets in the way?"
Questions building trust, empathy, and authentic connection across diverse teams.
"How do you build trust with people different from you? What makes that easy or difficult?"
Questions developing adaptability, problem-solving, and innovative thinking.
"When plans fail, what's your response? How do you pivot from disappointment to creative problem-solving?"
Questions helping identify and leverage strengths in professional contexts.
"What strengths do you bring to collaborative work? How could you use them more intentionally?"
💡 3,251 questions systematically developing professional communication, collaboration, and adaptive capacity
Self-aware · Emotionally intelligent · Resilient · Balanced
Questions exploring all dimensions of flourishing: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment, health, vitality.
"What gives your life meaning? How do you nurture that sense of purpose in daily life?"
Questions developing emotional intelligence: recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions.
"How do you recognize and honor your feelings? When do you find that most difficult?"
Questions developing psychological flexibility, managing unhelpful thought patterns, building resilience.
"What thoughts sabotage your wellbeing? How do you catch yourself before they take over?"
Questions developing resilience, growth mindset, and capacity to navigate setbacks.
"When you face setbacks, what story do you tell yourself? How does that story affect what you do next?"
Questions helping identify, understand, and develop signature strengths.
"Which of your strengths do you most want to develop? What would it look like to use it more intentionally?"
Questions developing self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness.
"How do you regulate your emotions during conflict? What strategies work best for you?"
Questions exploring what it means to live a balanced, meaningful life across all dimensions.
"What does a life well-lived mean to you? How do your daily choices align with that vision?"
💡 4,863 questions systematically developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, resilience, and balanced living
14,895 questions shown here across just 21 categories—and this is still only 64% of FlourishTalk's complete 23,383-question database across 37 categories
Every graduate attribute. Every sub-competency. Systematic conversational infrastructure for the university education you promised.
How universities can actually use FlourishTalk to develop graduate attributes
The conversational infrastructure exists. The research validates it. Now: how do universities actually integrate it into student experience?
Replace generic "discuss the reading" prompts with structured questions that develop specific graduate attributes.
Example: History tutorial exploring primary sources uses Critical Thinking questions to develop an enquiring mind; Social Justice questions to develop engaged citizenship.
Give house committees conversation frameworks for meaningful peer dialogue beyond social activities.
Example: Weekly residence "conversation circles" using Understanding Differences and Connection Lab questions to build community across diversity.
Give peer mentors evidence-based question frameworks instead of assuming they know how to facilitate development.
Example: BeWell 2.0—expand from 6 wellness cards to comprehensive FlourishTalk categories covering all graduate attributes.
Instead of lectures about university values, have students practice them through structured dialogue.
Example: First-year orientation uses Character Education and Social Justice questions in small group discussions, making values tangible from day one.
Create structured reflection on graduate attribute development using questions spanning all four clusters.
Example: Final-year seminar where students articulate how they've developed as thinkers, citizens, professionals, and individuals—with evidence.
Embed conversation frameworks into leadership programs, student organizations, and service learning.
Example: Student leadership training uses ALIGHT Leadership and Wellbeing at Work questions to develop professional capacities intentionally.
Include dialogical assessment: evaluated conversations, peer dialogue portfolios, recorded discussions.
Example: Philosophy course assesses students' ability to engage in Socratic dialogue using FlourishTalk's Thinking Well questions as prompts.
This isn't about adding requirements. It's about embedding conversational practice into what universities already do.
Picture a university where every student engages in at least one meaningful structured conversation per week. Not performance conversations where they're being evaluated. Not transactional conversations about logistics. Developmental conversations designed to cultivate the capacities universities claim to value.
1 conversation per week
× 30 weeks per year × 4 years
120 conversations
developing graduate attributes systematically
That's not asking much. One conversation per week. But imagine the cumulative effect: 120 opportunities to practice critical thinking, perspective-taking, ethical reasoning, self-reflection, professional communication, collaborative problem-solving.
Universities have buildings for solo study. They have labs for experiments. They have lecture halls for information transfer. But where's the infrastructure for dialogical learning—for practicing the conversational capacities that every graduate attribute requires?
FlourishTalk provides that missing infrastructure. Free. Accessible. Evidence-based. Ready to implement.
Your graduate attribute frameworks are beautiful. They reflect deep thinking about what matters. But they remain largely aspirational without systematic opportunities for students to practice the capacities you describe.
You don't need to reinvent the wheel. FlourishTalk has already built the conversational infrastructure you need—23,383 questions across 37 categories, all grounded in research, all designed to develop exactly the attributes you value.
And we've proven it works. BeWell showed that structured conversation tools produce measurable developmental outcomes. Now we're offering you the same approach—scaled across every dimension of graduate attributes.
The infrastructure exists.
The research validates it.
The need is urgent.
Now it's time to build the conversational university.
Not someday. Now. One conversation at a time.
With hope for what universities can become,
Alten
Founder, FlourishTalk
Explore 23,383 questions designed to develop graduate attributes
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