Frederick completed a BA Macquarie University (2003), followed by an MA by Research (2012) and PhD (2016) also at Macquarie. His PhD dissertation concerned the role of rock art in understanding the social and cultural dynamics of the Predynastic and Early Dynastic site of Hierakonpolis, Egypt. Frederick also has a background in engineering, Virtual Reality and modelling and simulation which, he applies to the domain of Virtual and Digital Heritage management and research.

Frederick also has over 20 years of fieldwork experience in archaeology, including excavation, survey, satellite remote sensing, ceramics and lithics processing, photogrammetry and various related techniques. He has conducted archaeological excavation at sites from Prehistoric to Roman periods in Egypt. This includes the Early Dynastic site of Helwan, the Dakhleh oasis sites of Mut El-Kharab and Ismant-el Kharab, and the desert around the Dakhleh oasis. Since 2007, Frederick has specialised in rock art as a material culture, commencing with desert rock art survey around Dakhleh. Since 2009 he has led the rock art research component of the Hierakonpolis Expedition. .

Since 2019, Frederick has directed the Belgian-Australian archaeological mission to El Hosh, Egypt – a vast site with prolific rock art remains ranging from Palaeolithic times to modern. The project aims to use the most modern, sophisticated capture techniques available to record the petroglyphs as the site is under threat. Thus, 3D capture of the motifs and their context is a priority.

Frederick has a strong interest in cultures which inhabited arid environments in the past and the impact of these on their cultures and survival strategies. His preferred material culture is rock art, which complements well the aspect of arid environments – where this type of evidence is most frequent. Finally, the preservation of heritage and the engagement of, and education of the public through virtual and digital means is a growing intertest area.