Painless Management of Scientific Events with the USASP
Fourwaves transformed USASP’s complex event management, eliminating stressful manual processes. Event organizers credit the platform with saving a lot of time as well as simplifying submissions and reviews.
Annual Scientific Meeting
530 abstracts, 120 reviewers
Research-Focused US Association
USASP: A Passionate Community of Researchers Advancing Pain Science
The United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) has quickly established itself as a vital community for researchers and healthcare professionals dedicated to understanding and treating pain. Founded less than five years ago, USASP serves as the U.S. chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain, bringing together a diverse group of experts, from physicians and psychologists to nurses and physical therapists, who share a commitment to advancing pain science and improving patient outcomes.
Under the enthusiastic and dedicated leadership of Brittany Knight, PhD, Director of Operations, USASP's annual scientific meetings have flourished, becoming crucial forums for sharing groundbreaking research, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation in pain management.
Our annual meeting gives pain researchers across disciplines a powerful stage to share their insights, connect deeply with peers, and inspire meaningful collaborations. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our community grow stronger every year.
PhD, Director of Operations, USASP
The Challenge: Manual Processes and Spreadsheets Bog Down Efficiency
As attendance at USASP’s annual meetings grew substantially over the years, Brittany found herself grappling with increasingly overwhelming logistical challenges. Managing hundreds of poster abstracts, coordinating travel award submissions, and assigning reviews became a complex task, due to outdated software and cumbersome Excel spreadsheets.
"With hundreds of submissions flooding in, handling data manually felt incredibly stressful," Brittany shared candidly. "I was always worried something important might slip through the cracks or get lost in translation amid messy spreadsheets and outdated platforms."
The process of manually juggling data for abstract reviews, travel awards, and presentations wasn’t only tedious. It posed genuine risks to the event’s integrity and overall event management. Brittany knew there had to be a better solution: a platform that would simplify management tasks, secure critical data, and ultimately make the meetings smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
We used to use Google Forms. Fourwaves is a massive improvement.
PhD, Director of Operations, USASP
Fourwaves: Designed with Research Organizations in Mind
After Brittany's discovery of Fourwaves marked a turning point for USASP. Initially intrigued by its reputation among similar research-driven organizations, Brittany quickly realized that Fourwaves wasn't just another generic event management tool, it felt as if it were tailored specifically to meet USASP's unique needs.
"Fourwaves didn’t just tick the boxes, it felt genuinely designed for organizations like ours," Brittany said. "It completely transformed how we handle submissions and reviews."
Fourwaves’ intuitive web-based submission pages, robust review management module, and built-in AI assistance streamlined the previously cumbersome processes.
"The review module alone was revolutionary," Brittany said. "We managed 530 abstracts and coordinated over 120 reviewers effortlessly. What used to take days of stressful work now takes less than two hours. It was an easy ride. No issues whatsoever."
Reviewers found the platform remarkably easy to navigate, and Brittany appreciated the platform’s built-in AI assistant, describing it as "fantastic and incredibly helpful," especially during critical deadlines.
The review module cut my time down so much. We had over 120 reviewers and 530 abstracts. It went smoothly, no chaos, thanks to Fourwaves.
PhD, Director of Operations, USASP
Future Plans: Scaling the Use of Fourwaves to Other Events
Fourwaves quickly proved its value beyond annual meetings. Brittany enthusiastically expanded its use to manage grant submissions, board nominations, volunteer sign-ups, and more, turning it into the central hub for nearly all organizational submissions.
"People keep asking what platform we're using, and I'm always thrilled to recommend Fourwaves," Brittany proudly shared. "It has become our go-to resource. If there's a submission process involved, we're using Fourwaves."
With plans firmly underway to continue and expand the use of Fourwaves, Brittany has already begun setting up the next major event with the platform.
"Fourwaves meets our needs perfectly," Brittany concluded. "It streamlines our processes, reduces stress, and makes the experience much more enjoyable for everyone involved. We’re definitely never going back to the old way."
About the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP)
The United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) unites diverse perspectives, including those of scientists, clinicians, healthcare providers, and policymakers, to advance the study of pain and translate scientific insights into practical pain relief. Its nationwide community collaboratively explores innovative treatments, shares groundbreaking knowledge, and advocates for policies that promote compassionate and equitable care. Driven by a commitment to scientific excellence and a people-first philosophy, USASP strives to enhance the lives of individuals living with pain.