John W. Ruser is Executive Director of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The Institute is an independent, not-for-profit research organization providing high-quality, objective information about public policy issues involving the various state workers' compensation insurance systems in the United States. The Institute disseminates information obtained from its data collection efforts and peer-reviewed studies. Dr. Ruser previously held several executive positions in the US government, including serving as Assistant Commissioner for Safety, Health and Working Conditions at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In that position, he oversaw the national public health surveillance systems for work-related fatal injuries and non-fatal injuries and illnesses. Earlier in his career, Dr. Ruser was a researcher and head of the BLS office that conducted research on employee compensation and working conditions in the US. Dr. Ruser has written many peer-reviewed and non-technical articles and book chapters on occupational safety and health and workers’ compensation insurance. He holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in economics from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in economics from Princeton University.