Palmer has helped develop the school's "Transatlantic History" Ph.D. program, which began in 1998.
The program focuses on the study of the interrelations and interactions between and among Europe, Africa, and the Americas, looking at "transnational," cross-cultural, and non-traditional links.
Palmer has been a UTA professor since 1973 and chaired the history department in 1982-87 and 1995-96.
He is the son of R. R. Palmer, a noted historian, and Esther Howard.
He also has a well-developed sense of humor, which has earned him the title, among his students, of, the "Earl of University Hall."