The New Mandarinate School is an extra-mural (“beyond the walls”) institution of higher education in the humanities and social sciences. It is open to all interested adults. We offer a unique educational service in the form of public lectures and online education that seeks to empower people democratically, leading to enrichment and an increased sense of responsibility and autonomy.

The school was founded by Sydney-born and raised Christopher Carlisle and is based in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Chris has completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History & Philosophy from the University of Sydney (1998-2001) and a Diploma in Book Editing & Publishing from Macleay College (2002). He has worked mainly in publishing and the media over the course of his career and now focuses primarily on his work in the field of public higher education in the humanities and social sciences.