Ashoka University expands psychology department; Nandini Chatterjee Singh appointed HoD

New Delhi: Ashoka University has expanded its Department of Psychology to include cognitive sciences and appointed Nandini Chatterjee Singh, a cognitive neuroscientist and science-policy researcher, as the head of the newly expanded department.The university said the move aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research on human behaviour, learning, and brain processes while aligning the department with global trends in psychological research.According to the university, the expansion reflects the growing importance of cognitive science in understanding how people learn, regulate emotions, think, and make decisions. The integration of cognitive sciences will allow students and researchers to examine the relationship between the mind and brain through empirical and data-driven approaches.

Focus on interdisciplinary research

Ashoka University said the revamped department will maintain a strong foundation in psychological science while introducing emerging areas such as neuroscience of learning, behavioural change, brain health, and cognitive science.Teaching and research within the department will emphasise empirical methods and interdisciplinary frameworks. This approach will enable students to engage with modern analytical tools and real-world datasets to study human behaviour and cognition.Speaking about the development, Singh noted that psychology as a discipline has undergone significant changes over the past decades. She said the field has shifted from being largely descriptive to becoming a more empirical and evidence-based discipline.Cognitive science, she added, combines insights from multiple disciplines to deepen the understanding of how the mind and brain function.

Programme to be introduced gradually

The university said cognitive science will initially be introduced through elective courses and academic concentrations for students. Depending on student demand and academic progress, the programme may be expanded further in the future.Vice-Chancellor Somak Raychaudhury said the integration of cognitive science into the academic structure reflects the institution’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning. He noted that the approach will help students understand human behaviour through scientific and data-driven methods. The initiative is part of the university’s broader effort to promote multidisciplinary education and research in emerging areas of science and social sciences.