Oxford University's debating society have released a very inventive mash-up video of Taylor Swift's Shake it Off in a bid to persuade the singer to join them for a talk.

The Oxford Union video sees past eminent speakers including Stephen Fry, FIFA president Sepp Blatter, actor Sir Ian McKellen, Gangnam Style singer Psy, actors Morgan Freeman, Diane Kruger, Sir Patrick Stewart and Jack Gleeson, as well as biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins and activist Malala Yousafzai, collectively reciting the lyrics of the hit song.

The video, which took a week to edit, was originally intended to showcase the union to new students, however somebody came up with the idea of sending it to Swift, by way of invitation to visit them.

Whenever we have a speaker we try to work with them to make sure we talk about an issue which is close to their hearts. If Taylor - fingers crossed - actually accepts the invitation, then we can have that conversation.
- Charles Vaughan, union president,

Charles Vaughan, union president, said when members realised they had "quite a good product" they thought it might persuade her to drop in on them.

He explained: "She's an international cultural icon. It's amazing when you take some famous people who are known for being celebrities... they have amazing things to say despite the fact that they're better known not for their academic content. She's a wonderful person to listen to.

"Whenever we have a speaker we try to work with them to make sure we talk about an issue which is close to their hearts. If Taylor - fingers crossed - actually accepts the invitation, then we can have that conversation," he added.

The union, which was founded as a forum for discussion and debate in 1823, has previously hosted singer Michael Jackson.

Taken from the album 1989, Shake It Off was a worldwide hit for Taylor Swift in August 2014.