Dr Layna Groen

Groen, L., Joseph, A., Black, E., Lund, M.E., Tam, W. & Gabor, M. 2010, 'Optimal location of Tsunami warning buoys and sea level monitoring stations in the Mediterranean Sea', Science of Tsunami Hazards, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 78-95.
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The present study determines the optimal location of detection components of a tsunami warning system in the Mediterranean region given the existing and planned infrastructure. Specifically, we examine the locations of existing tsunameters DART buoys and coastal sea-level monitoring stations to see if additional buoys and stations will improve the proportion of the coastal population that may receive a warning ensuring a timely response. A spreadsheet model is used to examine this issue. Based on the historical record of tsunamis and assuming international cooperation in tsunami detection, it is demonstrated that the existing network of sea level stations and tsunameters enable around ninety percent of the coastal population of the Mediterranean Sea to receive a 15 minute warning. Improvement in this result can be achieved through investment in additional real-time, coastal, sea level monitoring stations. This work was undertaken as a final year undergraduate research project.

Groen, L., Botten, L.C. & Blazek, K. 2010, 'Optimising the location of tsunami detector buoys and sea-level monitors in the Indian Ocean', International Journal of Operational Research, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 174-188.
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In the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami disaster, a global response to implement a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean became imperative. Steps in this direction were initiated in 2005 with plans for the deployment of up to 24 tsunami detection buoys. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimal placement of tsunami detection buoys and sea-level monitors, in order to provide warning to the greatest population potentially affected. We adopt a mathematical programming approach to examine this problem. It is determined that 10 sites are essential in ensuring that the maximum population can be warned. This has implications for construction and maintenance of the tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean.

Groen, L. & Selvadurai, J.N. 2010, 'Strategic positioning of Tsunami detection buoys in the Caribbean Sea', Australian Society for Operations Research (ASOR) Bulletin, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 15-26.
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The December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami increased global awareness to the destructive nature of tsunamis. International effort in constructing a tsunami warning system (TWS) in the Indian Ocean followed. The issue of constructing a cost- and performance-effective TWS is still on the agenda in a number of areas world-wide. This includes the countries bordering the Caribbean Sea. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the current Caribbean tsunami warning system and, where required, to suggest how its performance can be improved. It is found that relatively few additional detectors are required to improve performance.

Groen, L. 2007, 'Meeting expectations - a focus of professional practice in an final year undergraduate mathematics course', cience Teaching and Learning Research Using Threshold Concepts, Sydney, Australia, September 2007 in Symposium Proceedings: Science Teaching and Learning Research Using Threshold Concepts, ed Hugman, A, Uniserve, Sydney, Australia, pp. 34-39.
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This paper argues that achievement of many of the attributes of graduates in professional practice in operations research, or quantitative management science, can be developed best trhoguh a learning design that reflects current professional knowledge, skills and values. this necessarily places gthe focus of the learning design squarely on the student, with technology and communication at the nexus of the subject learning activities, and assessment tasks tailored to reflect this. The first steps in examination of the effectiveness of this form of learning design are undrtaken for a final year capstone subject in the Quatitative Management Science major in a Bachelor of scienc program. This examination is undertaken from the perspectve of students and teaching staff through the nalaysis of discussions with students conducted at milestones throughout the semester. positive student outcomes can be identified.

Groen, L. 2006, 'Enhancing learning and measuring learning outcomes in mathematics using online assessment', Assessment in science Teaching & Learning, Sydney, Australia, September 2006 in Symposium Proceedings: Assessment in Science Teaching and Learning, ed Johnston I; Peat M, Uniserve Science, Sydney, Australia, pp. 56-61.
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Groen, L., Carmody Jones, G. 2005, 'Blended learning in a first year mathematics subject', Blended Learning in Science Teaching and Learning`, Sydney, Australia, September 2005 in Proceedings of the Blended Learning in Science Teaching and learning, ed Johnson, I; Peat, M., Uniserve Science, Sydney, Australia, pp. 50-55.
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This paper argues that the achievement of learning objectives for a first year mathematics subject, Operations Research Modelling can be best fostered through a blended learning design.'Blended learning' can be used in a variety of contextx. In this paper, the definition used is that of the integration of 'traditional' learning activities - lectures, tutorials, Mathematica and optimisation laboratories and paper-based assessment tasks - with leanring activities and environments more usually associated with other disciplines - collaborative learning, online assessment, peer review, case studies, spreadsheet technology, and the information and communication technology, Blackboard. It is argued that a blended learning design includes learning activities that more closely mirror professional practice and is ore likely to encourage a deep approach to learning. Effectiveness of the blended learning design is examined from the perspective of students and teaching staff, trhough the analysis of responses to questionnaires and comments collected.

Groen, L. 2005, 'Changes in product quality and consumer responses', National Conference of the Australian Society for Operations Research, Perth, Australia, September 2005 in Proceedings of the 18th National ASOR Conference & 11th Australian Optimisation Day, ed Caccetta, L; Rehbock, V., Western Australian Centre of Excellence in Industrial Optimisation, Perth, Australia, pp. 67-74.
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This article examines the dynamic relationship between a firm's decision to vary the quality of a product, consumer responses to this variation, and the ffect this could have on the firm's profit and value. This is achieved through the construction and anlysis of a discrete-time optimal control model which incorporates consumer response. The consumer response model is based on sampling the product's market prior to the reduction in quality. The model is then solved numerically. The optimal time to reduce quality is shown to be affected by the ratio of price and cost differentials associated with differences in quality and the shareholder's required rate of return.