Martin Polák

Martin Polák drives innovation and systemic change in the field of mobility. He currently coordinates Slovakia’s research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities in mobility at the Research and Innovation Authority of the Slovak Government. Previously, he worked at the International Union of Railways (UIC), where he coordinated a steering platform, a knowledge transfer webinar program, and the Rail Freight Forward CEO coalition—focusing on innovative technologies and policy development. He also led stakeholder management for the Digital Automatic Coupling project under Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, the EU’s largest rail freight initiative. Martin began his career as an energy manager at Slovak Railways – ŽSR and ZSSK Cargo, where he optimized energy efficiency and consulted for the Slovak Ministry of Transport.