Interdisciplinarity has become a very popular term in contemporary reflections on science. There seems to be wide agreement on the desirability of interdisciplinarity and its promise of creativity and innovation. This consensus is grounded in the conviction that scientific problems often cannot be enclosed within a single disciplinary framework but require the joint effort of several disciplines. In practice, however, interdisciplinary work often brings along characteristic problems. The intended symbiosis may get stuck in mutual misunderstandings and conceptual confusion, and it can be hard work to find common ground for constructive interaction. The panel discussion seeks to shed light on the sometimes blurry concept of interdisciplinarity and investigate its relevance for scientific breakthroughs. How interdisciplinary do we want our sciences to be? And what academic risks do young scientists take if they decide to leave the trodden paths of their well-established disciplines?