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Mary Buchanan

BA (Hons), PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

Through my research, I work to understand and address inequities in access to housing, education, health and mental health services. My research focuses particularly on barriers to access faced by children and young people, disabled and neurodivergent people, and people experiencing homelessness. My recent work aims to highlight gaps in service provision that cause multiple marginalisation, such as how students experiencing homelessness face barriers to education.

I am interested in developing research methods that actively destigmatise research spaces. This includes facilitating lived experience in research, working with community partners, and championing trauma-informed, culturally responsive and psychologically safe practices.

Areas of research interest

Adverse childhood experiences

Life course mental health trajectories

Equitable housing and homelessness prevention

Inclusive education

Neurodivergence

Qualitative and mixed-methods research 

Representation of marginalised groups in research 

Recent publications

Fraser, B., Saha, S., Buchanan, M., Gibb, S., Monk, R., McLay, L. K., Campbell, P. J., Rogers, J., &
Bowden, N. J. (2026). Intersections of Autism and Sexual and Gender Diversity Among Young People
in New Zealand. Autism, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261460933

Buchanan, M., Yee, C., Gordon, A., Pierse, N., O’Sullivan, K., & Leigh, L. (2026). Disabled children’s
capabilities in housing: a mixed-methods survey of parents and guardians. Wellbeing, Space and Society,
100396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2026.100396

Buchanan, M., Yu, C., Aspinall, C., Watt, R., Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N. 2026. People with
disabilities in Emergency Housing: an analysis of a national administrative database. International Journal on Homelessness.

 https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2023.3.22807

Fraser, B., Buchanan, M. (2025). Flatting Amongst LGBTIQ+ People in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 20:4,1157-1170. https://doi.org/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2513990

Yu, C., Buchanan, M., Te Ora, E., Pehi, T., Leigh, L., Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N. (2025). The
Importance of Housing Assistance on Reducing Youth Offending in New Zealand. Urban Policy and
Research, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/08111146.2025.2503141