Dr. Jovan Lewis

Professor

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Biography

Professor Jovan Scott Lewis holds the Haas Distinguished Chair in Economic Disparities at the University of California, Berkeley. His scholarly work revolves around the economic and racial inequalities faced by Black communities, particularly in the context of reparative frameworks aimed at addressing past harms. He has authored significant works including 'Scammer’s Yard: Crime Black Repair Jamaica' and 'Violent Utopia: Dispossession Black Restoration Tulsa', both of which explore the intersections of race, economics, and community development. In 2021, he was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to the state's Reparations Task Force, a pioneering initiative focused on developing compensation recommendations for communities impacted by systemic inequities. Additionally, Lewis is the founder of the Berkeley Black Geographies Project, which aims to institutionalize and advance the study of Black experiences and racialization within geography. Through this project, he has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive academic environment that promotes the contributions of Black scholars in geography and associated disciplines.

Research Interests

Courses

GEOG 155, Race, Space & Inequality

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.