Content warning: This episode includes reference to genocide, sexual assault, coercion, torture and other topics listeners might find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

Dima Hamdan is a Palestinian filmmaker and former journalist. In this episode Dima Hamdan talks about why she became a filmmaker, her experience of being a member of the Palestinian diaspora and why she made the Iris Prize winning film Blood Like Water.

Her film Blood Like Water tells the story of a Palestinian gay man who is blackmailed to become an informant in occupied Palestine.

This conversation with Dima is honest, open, challenging and thought provoking. Near the end of the episode Dima provides recommended reading, listening and watching which can be found below. It’s time to Spare a Thought for Dima Hamdan.

Books about Palestine

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi

Palestinian Walks by Raja Shehadeh

Films

Palestine Film Institute

Podcast

Makdisi Street

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This fifth episode of Spare a Thought completes a miniseries focused on international students studying in UK universities.

In this episode Tom interviews Tanya Thomas, a partner at Spencer West solicitors, who specialises in Higher Education disputes and dispute resolution. During their conversation Tom and Tanya discuss the issues that students raise when their experience at university goes awry, the challenging situations international students face, and what steps students can take to resolve their complaints.

Tanya Thomas, Spencer West Solicitors: https://www.spencer-west.com/team/tanya-thomas/

Spencer West LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spencer-west/?originalSubdomain=uk

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This fourth episode of Spare a Thought continues a mini series focused on international students studying in the UK.

In this episode, Tom interviews four former international students and one current, all from Cardiff University - Sidd, Lily, Sumani, Zuzanna and Nathan. He finds out why they chose to study in the UK, the barriers to living here and how their experiences differ from living in their home countries.

Later in the episode, Tom speaks to Nathan, a former campaign officer at Cardiff Students’ Union, about working together to introduce a full-time sabbatical officer for international students at Cardiff University. In their conversation, they also speak about the unique challenges international students face and the importance of representing their views to the Students’ Union and the University.

Also, feel free to follow Tom via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparetom/