Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences  - Ashoka University

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Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences 

Psychology and Cognitive Science both study the mind and mental processes, but they differ in their scope and approach. Psychology, which has a long history, studies the mind and behaviour broadly, covering emotions, development, and social aspects. Cognitive Science, a relatively recent modern field, is an interdisciplinary field focused on how information is processed by the mind, brain, and machines, integrating psychology with computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy. 

The undergraduate program at Ashoka blends these two approaches and thus advances the theoretical understanding and practical application of how humans think, learn and behave and also provides avenues for students to pursue their personal passion. We seek to prepare a new breed of psychologists and cognitive scientists suitably trained and equipped to understand the ‘entire’ spectrum of human thought, perception and behaviour to serve modern society. 

Programmes

Undergraduate Programme in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

Undergraduate Programme in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

Ashoka University’s department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences employs a modern and scientific approach to examine human behaviour…

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Axis Bank Ph.D. Program in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

Axis Bank Ph.D. Program in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

The Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences at Ashoka University invites application for its Axis Bank PhD program…

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Faculty at Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

Mary Jane Arneaud
Mary Jane Arneaud

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. The University of the West Indies – St. Augustine Campus

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Naseer Bhat

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. NIMHANS Bangalore

Simantini Ghosh
Simantini Ghosh

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Krishna Melnattur
Krishna Melnattur

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences & Biology, Ashoka University

PhD, University of Massachusetts

Pratishtha Petwal
Pratishtha Petwal

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS)

Bittu Kaveri Rajaraman
Bittu Kaveri Rajaraman

Associate Professor of Biology & Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Harvard University

Dipanjan Ray
Dipanjan Ray

Assistant Professor, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

MBBS Calcutta National Medical College,
MD Medical College Kolkata

Supriya Ray
Supriya Ray

Associate Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. National Brain Research Centre, India

Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma

Assistant Professor, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D., McGill University

Sneha Shashidhara
Sneha Shashidhara

Assistant Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Cambridge

Nandini Chatterjee Singh
Nandini Chatterjee Singh

Head of the Department,Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Pune

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Annie Baxi

Visiting Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

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Tithi Bhatnagar

Visiting Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. IIT Bombay

Bhismadev Chakrabarti
Bhismadev Chakrabarti

Visiting Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Trinity College, Cambridge

Smiling woman in a pink scarf seated at a table in a rustic café with brick walls and palm decor.
Shitika Chowdhary

Visiting Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Jawaharlal Nehru University

Sneh Kapoor
Sneh Kapoor

Visiting Faculty, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

PhD Clinical Psychology; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

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Soumya Madabhushi

Visiting Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Bhasker Malu
Bhasker Malu

Visiting Faculty of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

PhD Psychology, CHRIST (University)

Poonam Yadav
Poonam Yadav

Visiting Professor, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Ashoka University

PhD, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

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News

News

From Social Stress to Brain Inflammation: Decoding the Immune Pathways of Chronic Stress

From Social Stress to Brain Inflammation: Decoding the Immune Pathways of Chronic…

Jul 13 , 2026 04:07

In this article, Simantini Ghosh, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ashoka University, highlights her ongoing research providing a holistic perspective…

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Science of Learning Workshop

Science of Learning Workshop

Apr 16 , 2026 06:04

Bringing together educators, public health experts, cognitive scientists, policymakers, tech innovators, and community-based practitioners, the workshop integrated cognitive science, learning…

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I Process Therefore I Am

I Process Therefore I Am

Apr 15 , 2026 12:04

‘Today, cognitive science seeks to understand how humans think, learn, and interact with the world ...’

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Why Feeling the Right Amount Matters: Professor Nandini Chatterjee Singh on Her Recent Research into Balanced Empathy in Adolescence

Why Feeling the Right Amount Matters: Professor Nandini Chatterjee Singh on Her…

Apr 14 , 2026 09:04

In this article, Nandini Chatterjee Singh, Head of Department for Psychology and Cognitive Science, at Ashoka University talks about her…

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Department of Psychology Expanded to Include Cognitive Sciences

Department of Psychology Expanded to Include Cognitive Sciences

Mar 17 , 2026 05:03

The Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences will continue to offer students a strong foundation in psychological science while opening…

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The Future of Psychological Practice in the AI Age

The Future of Psychological Practice in the AI Age

Mar 16 , 2026 05:03

Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human therapists, psychologists will need to learn how to leverage AI as…

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“If Being Okay Means Divorce, Then I Choose Depression”: How do Indian Women Psychiatric Patients Navigate Normalcy and Illness?

“If Being Okay Means Divorce, Then I Choose Depression”: How do Indian…

Nov 11 , 2025 12:11

In this article, Professor Annie Baxi, visiting Faculty of Psychology at Ashoka University, talks about her recently published research paper…

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