The stack of higher internal categories and stacks of iterated spans

Abstract

In this paper, we show that two constructions form stacks: Firstly, as one varies the $\infty$-topos, $\mathcal{X}$, Lurie's homotopy theory of higher categories internal to $\mathcal{X}$ varies in such a way as to form a stack over the $\infty$-category of all $\infty$-topoi. Secondly, we show that Haugseng's construction of the higher category of iterated spans in a given $\infty$-topos (equipped with local systems) can be used to define various stacks over that $\infty$-topos. As a prerequisite to these results, we discuss properties which limits of $\infty$-categories inherit from the $\infty$-categories comprising the diagram. For example, Riehl and Verity have shown that possessing (co)limits of a given shape is hereditary. Extending their result somewhat, we show that possessing Kan extensions of a given type is heriditary, and more generally that the adjointability of a functor is heriditary.