A journalism researcher who served on the press watchdog’s board has died aged 54.

Tributes have been paid to Lara Fielden, research associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford.

Lara, pictured, also served as a founding member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Complaints Committee in 2014.

She moved to join IPSO’s board last year.

IPSO chief executive Charlotte Dewar, pictured, said: “Lara’s death is a great loss to IPSO and to the cause of independent regulation of the press.

“Lara was deeply committed to freedom of expression and to IPSO’s role in upholding high editorial standards.

“She approached IPSO’s work with analytical rigor and with deep compassion for those affected by instances of misconduct. She will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of working with her.”

“IPSO sends condolences to her family and friends.”

Lara began her career as a graduate trainee at London Weekend Television and also worked for the BBC before moving to the Reuters Institute.

Former Reuters Institute director Dr David Levy, who worked closely with Lara, said: “Lara was a very special person combining impressive intelligence and insight with curiosity, openness to new ideas and modesty.

“Her work drew important insights from different sectors and countries to help inform approaches to regulation for an online world.

“She was a real professional, always producing work of the highest quality, hitting every deadline, and communicating her findings clearly to practitioners and analysts alike.

“She will be sorely missed by all those in the profession who worked with and learned from her.”