Lauer is the founder and executive director of the Southern Wisconsin Paranormal Research Group (SWPRG). Founded in 1999, the SWPRG has been recognized as one of the country’s leading paranormal research organizations. Lauer co-authored the book Investigating the Haunted: Ghost Hunting Taken to the Next Level, which is a textbook for advanced paranormal research and investigation. Lauer is also on staff and teaches paranormal education classes at two northern Illinois colleges.