Rate My Professor Frederick Yasso

Mr. Frederick Yasso is the Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University, appointed to the role in May 2023. A proud Juru man from North Queensland, he joined the Centre in 2019, progressing through team and leadership positions where he has provided innovation and excellence in teaching. Yasso holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Indigenous Community Health, establishing his foundation as a prominent leader in Indigenous mental health and community health. His work emphasizes delivering major teaching initiatives centered on Indigenous cultures and perspectives, supporting Curtin University's dedication to Indigenous education, research, engagement, and positive outcomes for First Nations peoples. As Director, he builds on the Centre's legacy since 1984 in transforming higher education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Yasso's achievements include the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Curtin Student Guild, shared with Max Jackson, and a 2023 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in the Australian Awards for University Teaching, alongside colleagues Dr. Brenda Rohl, Mr. Anthony Kickett, and others. His publications feature co-authorship of 'Teacher Experiences: Integration of Indigenous Science and STEM' (Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education, 2020) and 'Grounding Indigenous Science in a Foundational Unit: A Pandemic Experience.' He has contributed to opinion pieces like 'Invisibility of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Australians in boardrooms: a missed opportunity' with Dr. Shaouli Shahid, and provided mentorship for research on concussion awareness among Aboriginal Australians, funded by Curtin Medical School. Yasso serves on the Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry Advisory Board, coordinates units such as INDH1006 Indigenous Cultures and Health Behaviours, and participates in projects securing National Environmental Science Program funds for sustainability research incorporating Aboriginal perspectives.