![Camilo Uribe Botta](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/7500?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
I am an environmental historian with a particular interest in the role of plants as actors in history from a global perspective. I am a historian of Colombia and Latin America, with a specific focus on the history of British-Colombian relations during the nineteenth century. With an environmental history approach, I aim to understand the role of nature and other natural actors, mainly plants (orchids) in history and their impact in society, politics and culture. As an enthusiastic orchid cultivator, I also understand the challenges of keeping a tropical plant alive in the British Isles. I am also passionate about public engagement, having worked in a Colombian public museum for seven years.
Research
My PhD research centred on the trade of tropical orchids between Colombia and Britain from the 1840s to 1900. By analysing orchids through various layers of meaning—botanical curiosities, scientific objects, and commodities—I argue that these plants played a crucial role in British involvement in Colombia under the idea of "informal empire" during the nineteenth century. Furthermore, this trade revealed the active roles of many often overlooked actors: local indigenous and black populations, low-ranking diplomats, amateur scientists, gardeners, men and women on both sides of the Atlantic, mules, steamships, insects, and, of course, the orchids themselves.
Teaching
HS1120 History in Practice 2: Sources, Evidence and Argument.
HS6101 Global Histories
HS6222 Environmental Histories
Biography
Growing up in Colombia, I earned my BA in History from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, graduating in 2012. I worked for seven years at two public institutions under the Ministry of Culture of Colombia—the Museo Colonial and the Museo Santa Clara—in various roles. I began as a guide, then served as assistant curator, and finally as registrar and collections manager between 2013 and 2019. I was also part of the team responsible for the complete overhaul of the Museo Colonial in 2017. Alongside my work in the museum sector, I completed my MA in History at the Universidad de los Andes in 2016. Additionally, I worked as a historical consultant for theaters, archaeological sites, and TV series. In 2019, I moved to the UK to pursue a PhD in History at the University of Warwick, supported by the Chancellor's International Scholarship. I completed my PhD in 2024.
2012: BA in History. Universidad de los Andes. (Colombia)
2016: MA in History. Universidad de los Andes. (Colombia)
2024: PhD in History. University of Warwick.
Professional memberships
Posgraduate member of the Royal Historical Society.
Member of the Society of Latin American Studies SLAS.
Member of the United Kingdom Latin American Historians Network - UKLAH.
Academic positions
2025. Teacher in History. Cardiff University.
2024-2025. Early Career Fellow. Institute of Advanced Studies. University of Warwick.
2022-2025. Seminar tutor. University of Warwick.
Speaking engagements
December 2024: Guided tour. "Orchidelirium: miradas fascinantes a las orquideas mas alla de la botanica" as part of the temporary exhibition "Paraisos y jardines. La naturaleza representada" at the Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia. Banco de la Republica (Colombia Central Bank). Bogotá, Colombia.
May 2024: "The Commerce of Colombian Orchids during the 19th Century, between science and commerce". Talk at the Orchid Society of Great Britain. London. UK
October 2023: "From Barranquilla to Southampton: the commerce of Colombian orchids during the 19th century". Talk at the Colombian General Consulate. London. UK