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.
