Turkish police are investigating the death of a journalism lecturer from a UK university who is believed to have fallen from a tower block.

Robert Beers, who worked at the University of Central Lancashire’s journalism school as course leader in MA International Journalism, died last week while en route to Mumbai for work purposes.

A Turkish newspaper has since reported that he fell to his death from the fourth floor of a hotel in Istanbul.

Turkish police are investigating his death, although there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

Robert was 67 and had worked at the university for eight years following a lengthy career as a television correspondent.

Tributes have been led by his colleagues at UCLan’s journalism school, who said they had been left “devastated” by his death.

Mick Gornall, dean of the School of Journalism and Digital Communication, said: “Everyone at UCLan is devastated by this news. A vastly experienced, award-winning television correspondent and documentary producer, Robert Beers was a real inspiration and great mentor to our students.

“He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family.”

Andy Dickinson, senior lecturer in journalism and a close colleague of Robert, added: “The loss of the breadth and range Robert’s knowledge and experience brought to teaching is enormous but it’s the understated, generous and human way that he shared that with students and colleagues that will be most missed.

“Even the briefest of conversations with a student or over coffee could reveal another experience or story – working with Orson Welles or the impact of covering conflicts in South America.

“Losing the chance of hearing the other untold stories, rich with a passion for journalism he had since a teenager, is one of many reasons he will be missed.”

Robert was originally from America and joined the university following a career as an award-winning television correspondent and documentary producer in the US for more than two decades.

He carried out assignments in more than 60 countries and also served as a news consultant in the Americas, before working for The Guardian, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service.

Robert’s death was announced on UCLan’s International Journalism Facebook page on 13 February.

A post said:  “It is with great sadness that we report the death of Robert Beers, journalist and lecturer at UCLan.

“Many of you will know Robert and have been taught by him and will appreciate how devastating this news is. He was a great journalist, colleague and friend and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult time.”

Many of his former students have also posted comments, with one describing him as a “great lecturer and a lovely man.”

At UCLan, he was the course leader for the MA in International Journalism and led four MA modules and one BA module.

Robert also co-wrote a chapter on UK Television News in a book called The Future of Journalism in the Advanced Democracies.