ABSTRACT
The Hidden Cities apps grew out of an initial case example of Renaissance Florence to a further five historic European cities. The introduction outlines the development of the methodologies applied to creating these apps, considering the research process, their public engagement potential and the application of these approaches in higher education teaching. Apps are a little-explored medium for research and communication of place-based academic research, offering real potential to shape innovative interpretation for contributors, while offering a novel way to consume research for end users. It considers the medium structures new methodologies for site-based historical research, while also providing a platform for public history experiences that go beyond typical heritage priorities. Through consideration of the research practice to date, it provides a context to the chapters that follow. In doing so, it proposes how the Hidden Cities format might be extended through future collaborations and wider adoption in educational settings.
