Santiago Botero Rodríguez has been affiliated with the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana since 2012 and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Arts, where he carries out teaching, research and service in the field of music with a focus on free improvisation, experimental sound practices, hybrid musical languages, and interdisciplinary creative processes. His research-creation work integrates improvisational methodologies, sound production, collaborative practices and performative inquiry, including conceptual and artistic development of projects such as the Arco Expandido — a research-creation initiative that explores expanded sonic possibilities of the double bass through interdisciplinary design, performance and theoretical reflection.

He has developed research-creation projects on improvisation as creative methodology, production of experimental sound, and intersections between music and other artistic expressions. He has received grants and support from the Colombian Ministry of Culture, Idartes, and the Goethe Institute for research-creation, artistic residencies, album production, tours, and other cultural initiatives, and has participated in artistic residencies at the Banff Centre (Canada) and Art OMI (New York, USA).

His principal interests in research, teaching and service include free improvisation, hybrid creative practices, collaborative and performative processes, and composing/producing music for audiovisual, theatre and dance contexts.

Botero has collaborated with musicians and artists such as Ricardo Arias, Wade Matthews, Michael Dessen, María Valencia, Peter Brötzmann, Tony Malaby, Carmelo Torres, Juanita Delgado, Alba Fernanda Triana, Leonel Vásquez and choreographer Katie Duck, among others, in projects that traverse genres and disciplinary boundaries. He leads and co-leads ensembles including MULA/ALUM, El Ombligo, Los Toscos, Pérez Trío and the duo BoteroDelgado with Juanita Delgado, exploring sonic interaction, improvisation and composition across creative contexts. As a leader, co-leader, and producer he has released more than 40 albums and has toured and presented performances in Europe, Latin America and the United States. In addition, he has developed music for film, theatre and dance, working with directors and groups such as Rodrigue Dimaté, Álvaro and José Alejandro González, the dance company Cortocinecis, choreographer Jenny Ocampo, and the Teatro Libre theatre group in Bogotá