This mentoring card game is a dynamic, role-play-based activity designed to enhance the practical and reflective skills of academic mentors, particularly in relation to the UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023). Through conversations, it aims at simulates real-life mentoring scenarios that help participants explore how to effectively support colleagues seeking HEA Fellowship at any level. The game encourages critical engagement with the PSF dimensions while developing mentoring strategies that accommodate a variety of personality traits and communication challenges.

Played in pairs, each round lasts approximately 8–10 minutes and begins with one person acting as the Mentor and the other as the Mentee. The Mentee draws a card that defines a particular personality type—ranging from neutral ("Be Yourself") to more challenging traits like “The Know-it-All” or “The Perfectionist”—and acts accordingly during the conversation. Meanwhile, the Mentor draws a PSF Dimension Card (linked to Areas of Activity, Core Knowledge, or Professional Values), and must navigate the interaction by demonstrating understanding of that dimension while effectively supporting the Mentee’s development. Following the discussion, the pair debriefs together to reflect on the strategies used, challenges faced, and how the PSF was integrated. Roles are then switched, and partners rotate for the next round, ensuring diverse interactions.

Facilitators play a crucial role in preparing the activity. This includes assembling and printing the card decks and ensuring that participants have access to the PSF 2023 framework, either in print or digitally. Participants are briefed on the purpose of the game, which is to practice mentoring within a safe, supportive, and reflective environment, helping them build confidence and skill in handling complex interpersonal situations relevant to academic development.

After multiple rounds, a group reflection is facilitated to identify emerging patterns, share insights about mentoring challenging personalities, and evaluate the relevance of the PSF in mentoring conversations. Participants also consider how this experience can support their own Fellowship applications or academic practice portfolios.

This flexible tool is especially valuable for academic developers but can be adapted for broader contexts such as tutoring training, clinical mentoring, peer coaching, and leadership development. Customisation is encouraged, and feedback is welcomed to refine the resource for diverse institutional needs.