On 15 November, Irene McMaster was a keynote speaker at the Northern Periphery Programme's annual conference 'Transfor(u)m 2012', held in Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Drawing on evaluation work carried out on behalf of the Northern Periphery Programme, Irene's presentation focussed on change in the Programme Area over the 2007-2013 programming period and emerging opportunities for the future. As well as highlighting existing programme strengths and practical lessons for the future, the presentation considered strategic issues for the NPP area such as the impacts of climate change, the economic crisis and vested interests in the Arctic.