The field examines the theory and practice of history outside of traditional academic settings. It encompasses the ways in which historical knowledge is produced, disseminated, and engaged with by diverse audiences. This can manifest as museum exhibits, archival projects, historical site interpretation, documentary filmmaking, oral history collection, and community-based preservation efforts. For example, a collaborative project between historians and a local community to document and preserve the history of a neighborhood subject to gentrification exemplifies this practice.
Understanding how history shapes collective memory and public discourse is of paramount importance. This understanding promotes critical engagement with the past, fosters a sense of civic responsibility, and contributes to informed decision-making in the present. Furthermore, it serves as a bridge between academic scholarship and broader societal concerns, ensuring that historical expertise is accessible and relevant to a wider range of people. Historically, its rise coincided with a growing awareness of the limitations of traditional historical narratives and a desire to democratize access to historical knowledge.