This book provides a new and hopeful view of ageing—showing how it can drive innovation, not just create challenges. It looks at how we can create fairer, more inclusive systems for older people, informal workers, and ageing migrants in a fast-changing world. As populations age, many countries are facing smaller workforces, rising care needs, and growing inequality—especially in informal and low-paid work. Grey matters explore these big issues by bringing together ideas from economics, labour policy, human development, and innovation. The book takes a closer look at informal work, unpaid care, migration, digital access, and workers’ rights—topics that are often left out of mainstream ageing discussions. Rather than seeing older people as a burden, this book shows how they can contribute to innovation—as workers, entrepreneurs, carers, and mentors. It includes real examples from different countries, especially in Southeast Asia and the Global South, along with tools and ideas for designing better systems. These include creating more age-friendly workplaces, improving digital skills, and supporting older people in informal jobs. What makes this book different is its focus on both inclusion and innovation. It connects research with practice, offering clear insights and ideas that can be used by governments, NGOs, researchers, and business leaders. The book also shows how communities and older people themselves can lead change—not just be helped by it. This book is ideal for readers interested in ageing, social policy, innovation, international development, and the future of work. It is especially useful for policy-makers, researchers, and professionals looking for practical ways to support ageing populations while building stronger and fairer societies.

Associate Professor Ruttiya Bhula-Or is an established researcher in labour economics, human capital development, and demographic transitions, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations and informal employment in Southeast Asia. She is a faculty member at the College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and has served as a consultant to international organisations including the ILO, UNDP, and ADB. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the College of Population Studies at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Her research addresses labour market policy, social protection, migration, and skills development, especially in the context of ageing societies and economic inequality. Dr. Bhula-Or has led and contributed to national and regional studies on the future of work, labour standards, and informal sector resilience. She has published academic articles, policy papers, and contributed chapters to edited volumes on human development and workforce transformation. Her extensive engagement with policy and community-level interventions ensures that her research is grounded, impactful, and relevant. She brings a strong regional and applied policy perspective to the themes explored in this book.

Professor Sukanlaya Sawang is a globally recognised scholar in innovation, entrepreneurship, and wellbeing, with a strong interdisciplinary focus on inclusive development. She is Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Head of the Management Department, and Director of the Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions at Edinburgh Napier University. Her research spans ageing and innovation, digital inclusion, small business resilience, and sustainable human capital. She has secured over £1.5 million in external funding, including from UKRI, British Academy, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and has led projects on ageing, wellbeing, and inclusive entrepreneurship across Asia, Africa, and Europe. She has authored several books with leading publishers including Springer, Routledge, and Palgrave, and has published widely in Q1 journals. With visiting appointments in Australia, Taiwan, and Thailand, Professor Sawang brings a global perspective and extensive leadership experience in research, programme development, and policy engagement to this timely and impactful book.