If you’re organizing an academic or scientific conference, managing submissions efficiently is key to its success. One of the most important steps in that process is abstract management—and doing it manually is no longer sustainable in today’s digital world.
In this article, we’ll break down what abstract management is, why it matters, and how using the right abstract management software can save you time, reduce errors, and help you run a more professional event.
What is Abstract Management?
Abstract management refers to the process of collecting, reviewing, and organizing abstracts submitted by potential speakers or authors for a conference. Abstracts are short summaries of research papers, talks, or presentations that give a quick overview of the topic, methodology, and findings.
Submitted abstracts typically go through a peer review process, after which the conference chair or committee decides whether to accept or reject them. Accepted submissions are then scheduled into appropriate conference sessions. Depending on the format, they may be presented as oral talks or displayed as poster presentations during the event.
Often, abstracts are published either before or after the conference in conference proceedings, academic journals, or made available online. In some cases, authors are required to submit a full paper before receiving final acceptance.
In certain fields—such as computer science—it’s common for conferences and workshops to request full paper submissions from the outset. These are peer-reviewed by a program committee to a standard similar to that of academic journals, with accepted papers being presented at the conference and included in formal proceedings.
Efficient abstract management ensures that:
- Submissions are received on time
- Reviewers can access and evaluate abstracts smoothly
- Decisions (accept/reject) are recorded accurately
- Accepted abstracts are easily organized for publication or scheduling
Why Abstract Management is Important for Conferences
Whether you’re organizing a university symposium or a large international conference, you’ll likely deal with dozens—or even hundreds—of abstract submissions. Without a proper system in place, things can quickly spiral into disorganization.
Here’s why abstract management is essential:
Streamlined Submission Process : A good abstract management system provides authors with a clear, user-friendly way to submit their work. No more messy email threads or confusing file formats.
Centralized Review and Decision Workflow : Assign reviewers, manage peer review, and track abstract statuses all in one dashboard.
Improved Communication with Authors and Reviewers : Send automated updates about abstract status, review outcomes, and next steps with minimal manual effort.
Better Planning for Conference Content : Easily categorize abstracts into sessions, generate proceedings, and build your event schedule based on accepted content.
Scalable for Any Size Conference : Whether you’re managing 20 or 2,000 abstracts, an abstract management tool can grow with you.
Why Use Abstract Management Software?
Manual abstract handling often leads to delays, miscommunication, and frustration. Abstract management software automates the process from submission to publication, saving organizers time and giving attendees a better experience.
Leconfe: Abstract Management Software Made Simple
If you’re looking for powerful yet easy-to-use abstract management software, check out our platform Leconfe.
Leconfe is an open-source platform designed specifically for academic conferences. It provides everything you need to manage abstracts and papers, including:
- Online abstract submission forms
- Reviewer assignment and blind review features
- Customizable submission statuses
- Easy export to proceedings or conference programs
Already trusted by multiple universities and research institutions, Leconfe helps you simplify your workflow without sacrificing flexibility or control.
Final Thoughts
Abstract management is a critical part of any successful conference. With the right tools, you can reduce administrative overhead, improve the quality of your program, and create a more professional experience for participants.
If you’re ready to streamline your conference planning, try Leconfe—the abstract management software built with academic events in mind.