Explore Our Research & Programs

Discover comprehensive evidence-based research across five faculties and innovative programs designed to transform student success through wellbeing interventions

How to Navigate Our Research Ecosystem

Our research and programs are organized into five main categories below. Each card provides a brief overview with key findings and links directly to detailed content.

Start with Course Offerings to see what's available now
Then explore Faculty Research to see prediction findings

Evidence-Based Course Offerings

Five comprehensive wellbeing courses currently offered, plus learning platform and resource information

Course Offering

Grow a Gritty HERO's Mindset

3-Year Study 6 Action Themes 88.9% Personal Growth

Evidence-based psychological resource intervention developing Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, and Grit for Extended Curriculum Programme students. Demonstrates significant improvements across multiple wellbeing dimensions.

Key Innovation: Comprehensive HERO framework with validated improvements in growth mindset, optimism, happiness, connectedness, and perseverance across all evaluation cohorts.
Explore Course Details
Course Offering

i-Flourish 1 for Science Students 2025

4 Sessions Science Context 5 Learning Outcomes

Comprehensive course for first-year Science students discovering scientific principles underpinning academic and personal success. Combines live lectures, online exercises, and community engagement through the iFlourishWell4Life platform.

Key Innovation: Integration of SUBSIFY data simulation, validated assessment tools, personalized PDF progress reports, and supportive learning community with ongoing access.
Explore Course Details
Course Offering

i-Flourish 2: The Science of Happiness

10-Hour Intensive 12 Strategies Ancient Wisdom + Modern Science

Elective course offering unique buffet approach to well-being, combining cutting-edge positive psychology research with ancient wisdom traditions. Features personalized happiness strategy identification through evidence-based diagnostics.

Key Innovation: Person-Activity Fit Diagnostic with MindLight journaling system, UBHappy2 platform integration, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire pre-post assessment tracking.
Explore Course Details
Course Offering

Feel at Home at Stellenbosch

74% vs 69% Pass Rate 85% vs 74% Retention 5.48/7 Belonging

Research-validated sense of belonging intervention supporting first-year Science and Engineering students during welcoming week. Based on difference-education methodology with diverse senior student stories and structured reflection.

Key Innovation: Scalable "wise intervention" showing significant academic performance improvements, particularly effective for first-generation students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Explore Course Details
Course Offering

Flourishing Engineers

7 Interventions 1000+ Students/Cohort 3 Academic Years

Seven psychological interventions transforming engineering education outcomes through systematic approach to addressing psychological barriers. Integrated within mandatory Intercultural Communication module for maximum reach.

Key Innovation: Comprehensive framework targeting distinct psychological processes (belonging, mindset, confidence, resilience) with strategic timing and theory-driven "wise interventions."
Explore Course Details
Course Offering

i-FlourishWell4Life Platform

99.9% Uptime Mighty Networks Mobile + Web

Comprehensive learning environment for evidence-based wellbeing interventions, built on robust Mighty Networks infrastructure. Integrates course content, assessments, reflection tools, and peer connections in secure environment.

Key Innovation: Community-first approach with personalized PDF reports, native mobile apps, comprehensive analytics, AI assistance, and research-validated learning principles integration.
Explore Platform Details
Course Offering

Personal Growth Resources Hub

2 Resource Sections 11 IONs MindLight System

Resource hub for maximizing your i-FlourishWell4Life journey with scientifically-grounded video series, practical app optimization guidance, and transformative wisdom integration through the MindLight journaling system.

Key Innovation: MindLight four-step process transforming wisdom quotations into actionable insights through structured reflection, multi-sensory learning, and personal library development.
Explore Resources

Faculty Wellbeing Prediction Research

Comprehensive analysis of how wellbeing factors predict student success across different academic disciplines

Engineering Faculty

Engineering Student Success Prediction

532 Students 4-Year Tracking 87.5% Universal Predictors

Comprehensive analysis revealing how Physical Health, Life Satisfaction, and Financial Security predict engineering student success across all demographic groups. Includes detailed video analysis and statistical methodology.

Key Finding: Three universal foundations predict success with 41.2% completion rate in minimum time, varying significantly by demographics and academic preparation.
Explore Engineering Research
Science Faculty

Science Faculty Wellbeing Analysis

553 Students 87 Validated Factors 45.5% Achievement Gap

Most extensive wellbeing study revealing how social support, physical health, and psychological resources predict Science student outcomes across diverse demographic groups with rigorous statistical validation.

Key Finding: Social support emerges as the strongest universal predictor, with male students showing highest risk profile requiring targeted interventions.
Explore Science Research
EMS Faculty

Economic & Management Sciences Success

755 Students Sleep Quality Focus 28.1% Achievement Gap

Comprehensive wellbeing analysis revealing how sleep quality, physical health, willpower, and nutrition serve as critical intervention targets for EMS student success across generational and socioeconomic lines.

Key Finding: Sleep emerges as the most reliable universal predictor, establishing sleep hygiene as a Priority #1 intervention target for EMS students.
Explore EMS Research
Arts & Social Sciences

Arts & Social Sciences Wellbeing

340 Students 22 Validated Factors Realistic Goals Focus

Analysis revealing how realistic goal-setting, mental health, and holistic wellness approaches predict Arts student success, with specialized focus on CBIA students requiring targeted interventions.

Key Finding: Realistic expectations about degree completion consistently predict success, with 17 significant factors identified for CBIA students.
Explore Arts Research
AgriSciences Faculty

AgriSciences Wellbeing Predictors

153 Students 75 Validated Factors 48.4% Non-completion

Specialized analysis revealing how physical wellness, emotional intelligence, spiritual practices, and sleep quality predict success in agricultural sciences education with unique patterns for generational status.

Key Finding: Four universal factors emerged with non-first generation students showing strongest patterns, emphasizing holistic wellness approaches.
Explore AgriSciences Research

Intervention Research & Proven Programs

Evidence-based interventions demonstrating how wellbeing factors can be systematically developed

Proven Intervention

Grow a Gritty HERO's Mindset

Multi-Cohort Study VUCA Skills Published Research

Rigorous evaluation of psychological resource development through Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, and Grit cultivation. Demonstrates significant academic improvements while developing graduate attributes and 4IR readiness.

Key Innovation: Integrated approach creating synergistic effects beyond single-construct interventions while building VUCA capabilities for volatile professional environments.
Explore HERO Research
Engineering Interventions

Psychological Interventions in Engineering

7 Interventions 96% Gap Reduction Diligence Dividend

Groundbreaking research on theory-driven psychological interventions showing 9-18 percentage point improvements in pass rates and dramatic reductions in demographic achievement gaps through targeted support.

Key Discovery: The "diligence dividend" - conscientiousness amplifies intervention benefits, creating synergistic effects greater than either factor alone.
Explore Interventions
Conference Presentation

Engineering Success Prediction

UCT Conference 3 Publications Universal Foundations

Conference presentation revealing how first-year flourishing profiles predict engineering outcomes, with three foundational research papers examining universal predictors and demographic dimensions.

Key Contribution: Identifies truly universal success predictors while demonstrating nuanced demographic-aware approaches for inclusive engineering programs.
Explore Prediction Research

AI Technology & Innovation Platforms

Cutting-edge technology solutions for personalized wellbeing support and intervention delivery

AI Platform

FlourishIQ: AI-Powered Personalization

25 Years Research 500+ Tools Fuzzy Logic AI

Revolutionary AI platform combining advanced fuzzy logic algorithms with comprehensive positive psychology interventions. Built on 25 years of decision science research, from CAMPFILE 2005 to modern personalization.

Innovation: Solves the wellness paradox through intelligent personalization - moving beyond one-size-fits-all to create guidance that fits individual lifestyles and contexts.
Explore FlourishIQ
Implementation Framework

Hybrid Student Success Framework

Multi-Pathway Evidence-Based Scalable

Comprehensive framework integrating prediction research with intervention solutions, providing systematic approach to implementing evidence-based student support at institutional scale.

Integration: Bridges research findings with practical implementation, combining universal approaches with demographic-aware targeted interventions.
Explore Framework

Program Portals & Application Areas

Specialized programs and portals applying our research across diverse contexts and populations

Curriculum Framework

Wellbeing Curriculum Portal

Mental Fitness Systematic Evidence-Based

Comprehensive curriculum framework approaching wellbeing with systematic rigor, based on Dr. Paula Robinson's Mental Fitness Model and integrated with cutting-edge technology platforms.

Approach: Treats mental fitness with the same systematic approach as physical fitness, requiring continuous development across psychological dimensions.
Explore Curriculum
Alumni Programs

Alumni & Community Portal

Lifelong Support Professional Dev Community

Specialized programs extending wellbeing support beyond university to alumni and community members, demonstrating the lifelong applicability of evidence-based flourishing approaches.

Vision: Extends "4Life" mission beyond campus to support flourishing throughout life transitions and professional development.
Explore Alumni Portal
Sport Applications

Athlete Wellbeing Portal

Performance Mental Skills Specialized

Specialized application of wellbeing research to athletic performance, adapting evidence-based mental skills training for sport contexts and performance optimization.

Application: Demonstrates versatility of wellbeing research across domains, from academic success to athletic performance excellence.
Explore Athlete Portal
Legal Profession

Candidate Attorneys Wellbeing

Professional Career Transition Targeted

Specialized program for candidate attorneys applying wellbeing research to the unique pressures and challenges of legal profession entry and career development.

Specialization: Tailored approach addressing profession-specific stressors while building on universal wellbeing foundations.
Explore Legal Program
Personal Development

Personal Growth Portal

Individual Self-Directed Holistic

Comprehensive personal development portal making wellbeing research accessible for individual growth, self-improvement, and life optimization beyond formal educational or professional contexts.

Accessibility: Democratizes evidence-based wellbeing tools for personal use, extending research benefits to broader community applications.
Explore Personal Growth

Our Future Vision: Flourishing Institute

The next evolution of our work: establishing Africa's first comprehensive center for the science and practice of human flourishing

Flourishing Institute at Stellenbosch University (FISU)

Africa's Bold Vision: The continent's first comprehensive center where African wisdom meets global science, and individual transformation drives societal change.

"We envision a world where every African student has access to evidence-based wellbeing resources, where resilience, meaning, and joy grow throughout entire lifespans."

Built on Proven Foundation

30 years of validated wellbeing and student success work at Stellenbosch University, with the largest collection of evidence-based positive psychology tools ever assembled.

FlourishWell4Life's Role in FISU

FlourishWell4Life will serve as the commercial arm of FISU, translating research into sustainable programs and extending evidence-based wellbeing solutions across Africa and beyond.

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Continental Impact

Addressing Africa's mental health challenges while unlocking human potential across entire lifespans through culturally responsive approaches.

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Research Excellence

Combining cutting-edge research with practical applications, aligning with Stellenbosch's Vision 2040 as Africa's leading research-intensive university.

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Innovation Ready

Every program and capability is already operational, ready to scale across higher education institutions throughout Africa.

Experience the Vision: Explore FISU as it will be—a transformative institute ready to change lives across Africa

Explore the Future Institute →