Born in Northern Ireland, Carlisle attended Ballyclare High School from 1974–1976. She studied a Diploma in Foundation Art & Design at the University Polytechnic, Belfast. Further to this, Professor Carlisle graduated with a First Class Honours in Fine Art from the University of Ulster, Belfast and went on to complete a Masters at the University of Arts, London in 1981. In 1990, Carlisle was appointed Senior Lecturer in Fine Art and Media at Gwent College of Higher Education. In 1995 she moved to become the Head of Field in Interactive Arts at the University of Wales College, Newport. Upon promotion, she took a position as Head of the Department of Art & Design, University of Wales College, Newport in 1997, and was then appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales in Newport, where she led research and innovation including, establishing the Institute of Advanced Broadcasting and the Entrepreneurship Foundation. Between 1997 and 2006, Carlisle was an external examiner and advisor for a number of universities and colleges and was Director of her own publishing business, 'Circa Publications'. In 2009, Carlisle was appointed Vice-Chancellor and CEO of what was then University College Falmouth. In this role she oversaw the merger with Dartington College of Art and the granting of full university status to the institution, whereby it became Falmouth University. in 2012. In 2016 she was criticised by Falmouth College of Arts employees for receiving a £57,391 pay rise which equated to a 25.1% increase on her yearly salary. This took her salary to £285,900 per year. While at the same time employees went on a two-day strike to fight for a 1.1% rise. As Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Carlisle is responsible for setting the strategy for Falmouth University and ensuring that the University delivers its strategic objectives. Under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor of Falmouth University Anne Carlisle oversaw the closure of Foundation Diploma in Art and Design that had been running since the 1960s Carlisle is a member of the Cornwall Executive Group and a former Chair of the Future Economy Group on the Cornwall and Isles of ScillyLocal Enterprise Partnership & Knowledge Strategy Board. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to Higher Education in Cornwall.
