Ashoka University expands psychology department to include cognitive sciences

Ashoka University has expanded its department of Psychology to include cognitive sciences, making a shift towards more interdisciplinary approaches to studying the human mind and behaviour. As part of the restructuring, Nandini Chatterjee Singh, a cognitive neuroscientist and science-policy researcher, has been appointed as the Head of the newly expanded Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences.

In the official announcement Ashoka University said that the move reflects a growing international trend in psychology toward empirical and data-driven research, as well as the increasing role of cognitive science in understanding how people learn, think, regulate emotions, and make decisions.

Speaking about the development, Singh noted that the discipline has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades. “Psychology has undergone a conscious shift from being primarily descriptive towards becoming an empirical discipline,” she said, adding that cognitive science now brings together multiple fields to better understand how the mind and brain function.

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Ashoka University: Focus interdisciplinary learning

As per the university, the expanded department will continue to provide students with a foundation in psychological science while opening pathways into emerging areas such as neuroscience of learning, behavioural change, brain health, and cognitive science.

Teaching and research activities will emphasise empirical methods and interdisciplinary frameworks, enabling students to engage with contemporary analytical tools and real-world datasets.

Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University, said the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning. “Integrating cognitive science into our academic framework will enable students to better understand human behaviour through scientific, data-driven approaches,” he said.

The announcement noted that initially, cognitive science will be introduced through electives and academic concentrations, with plans to expand the programme further based on student demand and academic development.