Originally from Los Angeles, California, Dr Kinner received his B.A. and M.A. from San Fernando Valley State College (1963-64) and his PhD. in African History from UCLA in 1979. He began his teaching career at Gallaudet College in 1973. For the last 35 years Dr Kinner has taught introductory courses in American and World History, as well as African History, Research Methods in History, Topics courses focusing on History and Technology, and America in the 1960s.

Dr. Kinner has done extensive research on communications and media in West Africa, Nigeria in particular. He also taught at the University of Ibadan in 1976-77. He traveled widely in West Africa and in 2001 he was finally able to fulfill a long-standing dream by traveling to South Africa.

Dr. Kinner is currently conducting research on the life and work of P.O. Mba, widely recognized as the "Father of Education of the Deaf in Nigeria." He also continues to explore the relationship between history and technology and the ways in which technology may be applied in the classroom.

African History; History and Technology; World History; Research Methods; Oral History