[4] After graduating from high school in 1984, Martin Polaschek began studying law at the University of Graz, completing his master's degree in 1988.

[5] In 1992, he received his doctorate he attended the University of Graz for Doctor of Law, in 2000 he did habilitation and was an associate professor at the Institute for Austrian Legal History appointed and European Legal Development at the Law Faculty of the University of Graz.

He was a member of the expert group on the future of teacher training and is the spokesman for the Austrian Vice Rectors for Teaching.

His academic focus lies in the areas of contemporary legal history as well as federalism and local government research.

[7] The management of the University of Graz was initially taken over by the previous Vice Rector Peter Riedler.