 Anu Realo's background is in personality and cross-cultural psychology and she has conducted considerable research on the fundamental nature of personality traits, the definition and conceptualization of subjective well-being, and on the nature of cultural characteristics, such as individualism-collectivism, social capital, and tightness-looseness.The focus of her recent academic work has been examining the genetics of personality traits, as well as the complex relationships among personality, health, and subjective wellbeing.Much of her research has been carried out through collaborative efforts with colleagues from many different universities all over the world.