For Dr Zhraa Alhaboby, who teaches undergraduates and postgraduate students in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, was one of ten Iraqi writers to contribute to the book. It was featured in The Guardian’s "Best science fiction and fantasy books of 2016”.

She said: “It has been very exciting. The book has had some very positive reviews and I am thrilled that it has been so well received.”

The book poses the question: “What might your country look like in the year 2103 – a century after the American and British-led invasion?” Edited by the acclaimed Iraqi born film director and writer Hassan Blasim, the stories offer a glimpse of that future in a range of genres from science fiction to magic realism.

Dr Alhaboby’s contribution is called Baghdad Syndrome and examines how statues of Scheherazade and Shahryar mysteriously disappear piece by piece but in the process reveal a story of love and reflects on the suffering the Iraqi people went through to reach peace.

She said: “I have written several novels before including the Sumerian Tales series set in ancient Mesopotamian cities in 2500 BC. My writing usually focuses on projections from the past to the present. I was hesitant about my work being translated for this project but the publishers have done a great job.”

Dr Alhaboby has an MSc in international primary healthcare from Queen Mary University (QMU) London and has worked in around 20 hospitals and clinics across four continents.

“I was always interested in biology, human rights and caring for people irrespective of any political affiliation,” she said. “So my focus is on the human experience and how to support people. Both my parents are scientists and academics which could have subconsciously influenced my interests.

“While I was at QMU I became involved in diabetes research at the University of Bedfordshire and after I took a job here I started working on cyber victimisation research.  I’m now studying for a PhD researching the cyber victimisation of people with chronic conditions.

“I hope to reach a point where I can incorporate my medical research expertise into my stories. I’d like to publish short stories and finalise publication of the Sumerian Tales series of novels.”

Iraq +100 is published by Comma Press and is available on Amazon.