When submitted, abstracts automatically go into a table on our database. Once submissions are closed, the abstracts’ order is randomized and each is assigned a serial number. A set of reports are generated that contain the serial number, the abstract title, the abstract itself, and no other information. These reports are sent to members of the scientific committee and organising committee for review. Each reviewer assigns each abstract a score from zero (low) to two (high) and inputs the data into a form against the abstract’s serial number.

This year, each abstract was reviewed by four people, giving a score between zero and eight. Papers scoring 6, 7, and 8 were accepted.

All the data processing is carried out by the coordinator. We believe this gives a robust and fair assessment process, although we are always looking for ideas about how we can improve.