About WSI

A founder-led project building a public data platform about suffering.

WSI combines source-based evidence, public communication, and experimental measurement research.

DMDenis Mikhaylov
Founder and project lead

Founder

Denis Mikhaylov

Denis Mikhaylov is an independent researcher and finance professional who founded the World Suffering Index and developed the Universal Suffering Units framework.

His background is in financial planning, analysis, forecasting, and applied quantitative work. WSI grew from an interest in making evidence about pain, illness, deprivation, and humanitarian harm easier to organize and discuss.

The project is currently founder-led. External contributors, source organizations, and future reviewers do not automatically endorse WSI’s methods or conclusions.

Contact Denis Work with WSI

Project structure

From research archive to public product

WSI ObservatoryOrganizes public evidence across six domains, launching in phases.

Reports & NewsroomTurns evidence into public briefs, data stories, media resources, and updates.

WSI LabDevelops USU, CPB, and other experimental burden measures.

Future institutional pathWSI is open to partnerships, funding, an academic or nonprofit home, and selected commissioned work.

Independence

Founder-led does not mean methods are hidden

Sources, assumptions, versions, downloads, correction records, and model maturity are visible. Future sponsorship is subject to an editorial firewall.

Read the rules

Editorial standards →