UC Santa Barbara professor sues over $3M pay gap with male colleague

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 05:31 · Archive

A UC Santa Barbara professor claims she was underpaid by nearly $3 million compared to a less experienced male colleague.

Edwina Barvosa, a Harvard-educated professor of applied social and political theory at UC Santa Barbara, has filed a lawsuit in Santa Barbara County Superior Court alleging she was underpaid by nearly $3 million whilst a less experienced male colleague, identified as 'Professor Y', received significantly higher compensation. Barvosa has taught at UCSB since 1998, eight years before her colleague was hired.

Payroll records show the disparity widening over recent years. In 2023, Professor Y earned $232,050 in total compensation whilst Barvosa earned $150,317. In 2024, the gap increased to $94,700, with Professor Y receiving $251,700 and Barvosa $157,000. Barvosa claims she was underpaid by at least $991,478 in base salary alone, which rises to approximately $2.96 million when interest is included.

The lawsuit alleges the two professors share similar backgrounds, both having grown up in working-class families and identifying as Mexican American. Her lawyers argue that when future pension losses are compounded over the next 39 years, her total losses could exceed $30 million. The suit names the UC Regents, UC President James Milliken, UCSB Chancellor Dennis Assanis, and several other university officials, accusing them of violating California's Equal Pay Act and of discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower retaliation.

How it is being reported

• California professor sues university claiming she was shortchanged $3M... as male colleague landed promotionUniversity of California, Santa Barbara professor Edwina Barvosa was underpaid by nearly $3 million while a less experienced, male colleague cashed in, according to a lawsuit.Daily Mail · 19 Oct, 05:20
• UC Santa Barbara professor claims college shortchanged her $3M, promoted male colleague: suitEdwina Barvosa alleges UC Santa Barbara paid a less-experienced male colleague far more than her and retaliated after she complained.New York Post · 18 Oct, 19:24

In this story: Edwina Barvosa · UC Santa Barbara · University of California · James Milliken · Dennis Assanis

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