The article discusses the challenges of working with hybrid teams within the overarching programme ChallengingGender, with its interdisciplinary theme groups and its arena for joint reflection and theoretical development. Theintellectual exchange over concepts with heterogeneous meanings across hybrid themes may lead to manydebates and controversies over allegedly joint concepts and be experienced as time-consuming exercises that givemeagre results. The article analyses the interaction within hybrid themes and between themes on the arena. Theanticipated dynamics in the process of arena work required both flexibility and adaptability, and the work wasdeveloped in several stages. Two important steps were the outlining of core statements and core questions at theheart of each theme, and letting themes actively challenge the research questions of other themes. The articlestresses the importance of exposure to methodological and theoretical pluralism to create scientific developmentand intellectual excitement.