The rise of graphene expectations: Anticipatory practices in emergent nanotechnologies

•The concept of anticipatory practices is suggested for studying how expectations are shaped and influence research and innovation.•We show how anticipatory practices have contributed to the emergence and governance of graphene as a research and innovation field.•We trace anticipatory practices that constituted different arenas relating to scientific, policy and market actors.•We show how expectations on graphene have been voiced, spread and assessed.•We investigate the specific forms of performativity which different practices create.