Robert Santelli joined the staff of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in January 1994 as assistant curator. He assisted in the conceptualization of such "scene" exhibits as Memphis, New Orleans and Seattle. He also actively collected artifacts for the Museum from such artists as the Allman Brothers Band, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Marley. He became Vice President of Education and Programming in July 1995.

As Vice President of Education and Programming, Santelli is responsible for creating the museum’s educational programming and curriculum, cultivating community outreach programs and overseeing the education department's operations. Santelli is also responsible for the Museum's library and archives; oral history program; master class program in rock and roll history; "Rock in the Schools" program, which will reach the Cleveland School District, K-12; and is developing an artist-in-residence program. As Director of Education, he developed the Hall of Fame Series, which features intimate performance and conversation with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. Santelli has also created the American Music Masters Series, an annual event which highlights the career and legacy of an Early Influence inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To extend the educational component of the American Music Masters Series, Santelli has edited books associated with the academic conference in the series. In addition, Santelli has written script for radio programs highlighting subjects of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's exhibits. Santelli's department is also responsible for holding teacher conferences, scheduling and producing concerts and developing educational film series.

Santelli began his career as a freelance music journalist in New Jersey. In 1992, Santelli served as Assistant Professor in the Music Department of Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ. There he created the Popular Music Studies Program, which included courses on rock and roll history, blues history, concert production and the music industry. In 1993, he became an adjunct professor and guest lecturer in the American Studies Department of Rutgers University, in addition to his duties at Monmouth University. At Rutgers, he taught courses on contemporary American culture, popular culture and the blues.

Santelli has also written seven books on rock and roll and the blues, His latest books include The Big Book of Blues and The Best of the Blues. He has written scripts for nationally syndicated radio shows, such as "House of Blues." Santelli is a regular contributor to a number of magazines and newspapers including Rolling Stone, CD Review, Downbeat, Backstreets, Asbury Park Press and New Jersey Monthly.

Raised on the New Jersey shore, Santelli holds a BA in American History from Monmouth University and an MA in American Studies from the University of Southern California. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in American Studies at New York University. Santelli is married with three children.