  In this paper, we review recent results on the conforming virtual element
approximation of polyharmonic and elastodynamics problems. The structure and
the content of this review is motivated by three paradigmatic examples of
applications: classical and anisotropic Cahn-Hilliard equation and phase field
models for brittle fracture, that are briefly discussed in the first part of
the paper. We present and discuss the mathematical details of the conforming
virtual element approximation of linear polyharmonic problems, the classical
Cahn-Hilliard equation and linear elastodynamics problems.
